Sachin Tendulkar Backs Students in NEET Paper Leak Protest, Calls for Merit

By Thetripurapost Desk, Mumbai
Jul 24, 2026
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India's leading sporting icons have publicly voiced concern over the ongoing NEET (nta) paper leak controversy, urging authorities to safeguard the integrity of the country's (education) system. From cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar to Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, several athletes have backed students demanding transparency, fairness and accountability while emphasizing that merit should remain the foundation of competitive examinations. The controversy has fueled nationwide protests, with demonstrators continuing their agitation over alleged examination irregularities and demanding institutional reforms.

Sachin Tendulkar: Honest Effort Must Always Be Rewarded

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar said students have every reason to feel disappointed if years of dedication are undermined by examination malpractice. Sharing a lesson from his childhood, he recalled that his father taught him that failure is acceptable, but cheating never is.

Tendulkar stressed that an ideal education system should encourage integrity, reward genuine effort and ensure that success is determined purely by merit rather than unfair practices.

Shubman Gill Calls for Student-Centric Solutions

India's Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill expressed solidarity with students peacefully raising their concerns.

According to Gill, young Indians deserve equal opportunities to study, pursue their dreams and build successful careers. Since education shapes the country's future, every decision should place students' interests at the centre.

Mohammad Kaif Questions Use of Force

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif expressed concern over reports of police action against student protesters.

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He said students demanding reforms should be heard instead of facing force and appealed for an early and peaceful resolution through dialogue.

Irfan Pathan: Paper Leaks Destroy Years of Hard Work

Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan highlighted the sacrifices made by students and their families while preparing for highly competitive examinations.

He stated that a single paper leak should never erase years of preparation or destroy a student's aspirations, adding that authorities must guarantee fair examinations in the future.

Shikhar Dhawan Urges Dialogue and Patience

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan acknowledged the frustration among young people while encouraging calm and constructive engagement.

He said lasting solutions emerge through dialogue, patience and confidence in democratic institutions.

Abhinav Bindra Seeks Stronger Education Reforms

Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra described a transparent education system as one of the strongest pillars of a progressive nation.

He said trust in examinations, respect for merit and equal opportunities are essential to inspire future generations.

Nihal Sarin Demands Accountability

Chess Grandmaster Nihal Sarin said those responsible for examination irregularities must be identified and held accountable.

He noted that students already face enormous academic pressure, making any compromise in examination integrity completely unacceptable.

NEET Protest Continues at Jantar Mantar

The movement against the alleged NEET paper leak has continued at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for weeks. Protesters have demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan while calling for sweeping reforms to ensure transparency in competitive examinations. Activist Sonam Wangchuk recently ended his hunger strike following discussions with government representatives, but demonstrations have continued in several parts of the country.

Why This Story Matters

The support extended by India's sporting personalities has amplified the debate surrounding examination integrity and educational reforms. Their statements reinforce growing public calls for a transparent system that protects students' futures, rewards honest effort and restores confidence in national-level competitive examinations.

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