Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the recent Gen Z protests, reacting to the self-styled Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and backing criticism over the alleged use of abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The actor described some protesters as “cockroaches” and alleged that they did not represent genuine students. His comments come days after actress-politician Kangana Ranaut sparked a row by referring to some protesters as “gutter chhaap” and condemning the language used during the demonstrations and on social media.In a video shared on Instagram, Mukesh said that although he is currently outside India, he has been closely following developments through social media platforms.
Says protesters do not represent students
Referring to the agitation linked to the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, Mukesh claimed that those seen using abusive language were not genuine students.“Is waqt main India se bahar hoon, lekin Reels, Instagram aur YouTube ke zariye meri nazar India par bani hui hai. Do din pehle hi maine ek video dali thi, jismein maine chinta jatayi thi ki agar ye hamari youth hai, agar ye hamari Gen Z hai, aur agar aane wale 25 saal baad hamara desh inke kandhon par tikne wala hai, to aap samajh sakte hain ki hamare desh ka kya haal hoga.Lekin jitna maine dekha hai aur jitna logon ko is mudde par bolte hue suna hai, usse mujhe ye mehsoos hua ki zyadaatar log is baat se sehmat hain ki ye hamare desh ke asli chhatra nahi hain. Ye woh students nahi hain jo NEET ya paper leak ki samasya ko lekar andolan kar rahe the,” he said.The actor further alleged that the protesters had political motives.“Ye log sarkar girane ke bade-bade iraade lekar aaye, Pradhan Mantri ke khilaaf aur unki maa-behen ko lekar gaaliyan di, aur baad mein raat ko parties karte nazar aaye. Maine bhi ye videos dekhi hain aur shayad aapne bhi dekhi hongi. Ye log asli students ka pratinidhitva nahi karte, jo waastav mein pareshani jhel rahe hain,” he added.
Compares protesters to ‘cockroaches’
Mukesh drew criticism-worthy comparisons while speaking about those he accused of using abusive language.“Mere hisaab se ye cockroaches ki tarah hain. Jaise ghar mein cockroach aa jaye to hum use bahar nikal dete hain, waise hi jo log camera ke saamne aakar is tarah ki gandi bhasha ka istemal kar rahe hain, unhe bhi hata dena chahiye aur door kar dena chahiye,” he said.He also alleged that the agitation was “sponsored” and claimed it did not represent genuine student concerns.“Mera maanna hai ki ye asal maayne mein NEET ya chhatron ka andolan nahi tha. Ye ek sponsored andolan tha, jismein bhaari paisa lagaya gaya tha. Aur ye log hamare desh ke students ka pratinidhitva nahi karte, kyunki ek student kabhi is tarah ki bhasha ka istemal nahi karega. Mujhe lagta hai ki ismein kuch aise log shamil the jo chand paison ke liye desh ko destabilise karne ki koshish kar rahe hain.”Mukesh also cautioned young people against getting involved in such movements, saying that their actions on camera could affect their future careers and employment opportunities.“Main un bachchon se bhi kehna chahta hoon ki shayad aapko abhi ehsaas nahi hai ki jo kuch aapne camera ke saamne bola ya kiya hai, uska asar aapki aane wali zindagi par pad sakta hai. In logon se door rahiye. Ye log aapko sirf istemal karenge aur phir chhod denge.Warna har kadam par aapko mushkilon ka saamna karna pad sakta hai. Ho sakta hai kal ko naukri milne mein dikkat aaye ya career par bura asar pade. Isliye apne bhavishya ke baare mein sochiye aur sambhal kar faisle lijiye.”
Earlier video raised concerns about Gen Z
This is the second video Mukesh has shared on the issue within a week. In an earlier Instagram post, he expressed concern over the conduct of some participants at the protests, saying he was worried about the future of the country if such behaviour represented India’s youth.“Andolan desh bhar mein bahut se hue hain – past mein bhi, present mein bhi aur aage bhi honge. Lekin is baar jo NEET ke chhatron ka andolan maine dekha hai, use dekhkar main dang reh gaya hoon.Is mudde par har angle se baat ki ja sakti hai, lekin ek angle mujhe samajh nahi aaya. Is andolan ko dekhkar main chintit ho gaya hoon.Jantar Mantar par chhe-saat din tak chale is chhatra andolan mein jo yuva chehre nazar aaye, jo yuvaon ka jamavda tha, aur jis tarah ki language maine suni… woh video poori tarah viral hai. Gusse ko dikhane ke liye jis tarah ki bhasha ka istemal kiya gaya, mujhe samajh nahi aaya ki ye bhi kisi maa-baap ki santaan hain.Agar inke mata-pita ye sab dekhen, to kya unka sir sharm se nahi jhukega? Zaroor jhukega. Aaj tak maine is tarah ki language nahi dekhi.”He criticised the abusive language allegedly used against the Prime Minister and his family, questioned whether parents would approve of such conduct, and said it reminded him of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches about India becoming the world’s youngest nation over the next 25 years.“Mujhe sirf ek hi baat samajh aayi aur usne mujhe sochne par majboor kar diya. Mujhe Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi ji ki baat yaad aa gayi. Woh aksar apne bhashanon mein kehte the, ‘Bhaiyon aur behno, 25 saal baad hamara desh sabse yuva desh hoga.’Main pehle bhi kai baar keh chuka hoon ki agar 25 saal baad isi tarah ke yuva hamare desh ko apne kandhon par sambhalenge, to hamare desh ka kya haal hoga? Is baat par bhi sochiye.Kya is tarah ke yuvaon par hamara desh tik payega? Is andolan ne mujhe is baare mein sochne par majboor kar diya hai. Mujhe apne desh ke bhavishya ki chinta hai. Aap log bhi is par dhyan dijiye.Mera maanna hai ki is tarah ki gandi bhasha ka istemal band hona chahiye. Apne desh ke Pradhan Mantri ke khilaaf, aur unki maa ke baare mein itni apattijanak baatein kehna theek nahi hai. Main dekhna chahta hoon ki ise rokne ke liye kaun kadam uthata hai.”
Protest ended after Centre accepted demands
Mukesh’s remarks come days after the CJP-led agitation over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak came to an end following the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The nearly month-long protest was called off after the Centre agreed to several demands raised by the group, including compensation for affected families and the withdrawal of FIRs against protesters.