Bollywood actor Salman Khan is facing backlash on X after his post about the ongoing student protests in New Delhi was called out for being too diplomatic, with users accusing him of avoiding any direct criticism of the government.
In his post, Khan wrote that it was “such a peaceful movement” and said he felt sad that “it had to take a violent turn”, adding that his “heart goes out to the students and their families who were hurt”.
He called the paper leak – the main reason for the protests – “a very serious issue” and said he was glad to see students coming together for a better educational system.
Khan went on to praise the protest itself, writing that the students had shown “dedication, sincerity and keenness to study hard and make their future and a greater, educated India”, and called the sit-in “the right way to go about it”.
Describing the students as “courageous and brave”, he said the generation was “driven and motivated towards education” and would “make India proud”.
While he also said the issue should not be “hijacked politically”, and hoped the government would also give students all the support to come up with a “win-win situation”, the post, instead of drawing support, triggered a wave of criticism accusing Khan of sitting on the fence.
One user asked, “Was the whole post drafted by BJP’s PR agency?”
Another user demanded a clearer stance altogether: “Condemn the Govt for attacking the students for tearing women clothes. Don’t sit on the fence. It’s not a win win situation as you’re saying. Demand resignation from education minister. Be courageous like Rahul Gandhi [sic].”
A similar comment called for accountability. “First, condemn what the government did to the students. Then, thank the leader who endured police brutality while standing up for them. Grow some spine and demand Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.”
Some users also questioned why Bollywood figures avoid naming the government directly.
One wrote, “Why the hell aren’t you guys directly attacking the government? Stop this balancing act every single time. If you have the guts, call them out openly.”
Another said had the Bollywood stars been really concerned, they should have raised their voice from the beginning.
Others also accused Khan of staying silent on police action against the protesters. “Silent on police brutality? Typical. If politics weren’t involved, you and your Bollywood crowd would have spoken up weeks ago. Shame on you for watering down a national crisis to protect the BJP’s image. Kitna daroge be [How much will you fear]?” one user wrote.
“Salman bhai wrote such a diplomatic statement that the protest got supported, the violence got condemned, the government didn’t get offended, and the students are happy too. It’s not a tweet, it’s a multi-starrer family entertainer, just missing the villain’s name,” commented another.
One user acknowledged Khan’s concern but questioned the substance of the post. “Bhai I know your intentions may be good, but this tweet feels more like a PR exercise than genuine support. The students stood on the streets, got injured, and risked everything for a fair education system. They deserve more than a carefully worded neutral statement. If you truly stand with them, then show some spine, call out what went wrong, and demand accountability.”
This isn’t the time to play safe, it’s the time to stand with the students, they wrote.
One user tied the post to a broader pattern, writing, “ChatGPT be reading script balancing things out be like,” a reference to the same criticism actor Rajkummar Rao faced over a similarly worded post earlier this week.
