Bollywood actress Preity Zinta is facing fierce backlash on X as she cautions against alleged anti-national elements within the ongoing student demonstrations in New Delhi. Critics are accusing her of circulating a scripted government narrative while young protesters face brutal police crackdowns.
Tensions have gripped New Delhi as thousands of student stage relentless demonstrations demanding the immediate resignation of Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan and education reforms over widespread NEET examination paper leak scandal.
The core agitation intensified significantly after activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly removed by law enforcement from his extended hunger strike site at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. The situation escalated dramatically on July 20 when Delhi Police launched a brutal crackdown on peaceful student protesters marching towards Parliament.
Weighing in on the unfolding crisis, actress Preity Zinta took to X to share her perspective on the developments.
She stated on X, “While it’s important to support our students and ask for educational reforms that positively impact the future of our youth, it’s also very important that peaceful protests by students are not hijacked by anti-national elements to create chaos & change the nature of the protest.”
She further added, “Seeing so much hate & divide online makes me wonder if bad elements in & outside our country have already started to work overtime to weaponise the anger & frustration felt by our students..”
The remarks triggered an immediate and furious backlash from netizens across the platform who accused the celebrity of parroting the government’s talking points while students faced police brutality on the streets.
Social media users vented their outrage directly, with journalist Muhammad Zubair writing, “Here it comes, ji, here it comes… The boss’s call has arrived…”
Another user posted, “Script mil Gaya ha.” [The script has been received].”
A third netizen added, “Wow this is 100% clear script from Govt. I was actually surprised that why these celebrities who never wrote about public issues are suddenly turning their support to such movements. It’s clear that it was designed so that they can malign the movement later. See the pattern!!!”
Direct criticism aimed at the actress continued to pour in as internet users questioned her intent. One user wrote, “You don’t need to do this damage control for the government. Either just express your free thoughts or don’t at all, either is fine. I’ve really done memories of you from cinemas.”
Another remarked, “Looks like these celebrities stood with the protesters until the WhatsApp forward reached them.”
Others targeted the perceived insincerity of the statement, writing, “Cheap act. Have some shame!” and another said: “You forgot to flag this post as paid partnership.”
One person stated, “As a parent if you cannot understand the plight of students then as a celebrity plz don’t give your faltu ka paid gyaan..thanks but no thanks”.
One user bluntly accused her of doing a disservice to the nation by not taking the right stance, saying, “YOU are the real anti national. YOU”.
Critics also pointed to her lifestyle abroad, arguing that she was detached from ground realities in India. One comment highlighted, “Preity Zinta is married to an American. She lives in the United States. Hardly visits India. Kids don’t go through the toughness of Indian education System. And Anti-Nationals like her are giving gyaan to students.”
Another challenged her directly: “To aap aake kyu nahi guide krti ki kaise protest krna hai ? Lead kareiye ye protest [Then why don’t you come and guide them on how to protest? Lead this protest].”
Finally, one remark mocked her global stance, writing, “Preity G Zinta tweets, ‘Support the country you live in or live in the country you support!’ from her ‘Ultra Luxurious Mansion’ in Beverly hills, Los Angeles, USA.”
