Recalling a lesson from his late father, Tendulkar said disappointment among students was understandable and called for collective efforts to restore faith in India’s examination system.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, July 23: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday voiced support for students protesting the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, saying India must build an education system where hard work is rewarded, honesty is encouraged and merit prevails.
In a heartfelt post on X, Tendulkar reflected on the values instilled by his late father, a college professor, and said the controversy had highlighted the need to protect the aspirations of millions of students.
“My father was a professor. He was a mentor and guide to many young students. One lesson that he instilled early on was: Failure is okay, cheating is not. Never take shortcuts,” Tendulkar wrote.
The batting great said society must promote merit over shortcuts and ensure that students never feel their honest efforts have been wasted.
“As adults in society, we have the responsibility of shaping culture. A society which prioritises outcomes over effort will seek shortcuts over meritocracy. Today, when students feel disappointed that their hard work hasn’t been rewarded, it is understandable. Collectively, we should all work together towards ensuring they don’t feel this way again,” he said.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 23, 2026
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Calling young people the country’s greatest strength, Tendulkar urged parents, teachers, schools, administrators and society at large to work together to safeguard their future.
“Young India is full of dreams and energy. They are the fuel to our success. We must create a culture where hard work is rewarded, honesty is encouraged and merit wins. I am certain we will find solutions that strengthen our children’s future and safeguard their aspirations. Jai Hind!” he added.
Tendulkar’s statement comes as nationwide protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak continue to gather momentum. The agitation, spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student organisations, has entered its fourth week at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, with protesters demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a judicial probe into the National Testing Agency (NTA), sweeping examination reforms and accountability for repeated paper leaks.
The movement intensified after the “Chalo Parliament” march on July 20, during which clashes broke out between protesters and Delhi Police, leading to allegations of excessive force, injuries and detentions.
Tendulkar joins a growing list of public figures who have spoken out on the issue. Earlier in the day, Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra said education was an issue that transcended politics and called for an examination system that inspires confidence, rewards merit and creates equal opportunities for young Indians.
Several actors, musicians and political leaders have also expressed solidarity with the students, while Parliament has witnessed repeated disruptions over the controversy.
The Centre, meanwhile, has announced the establishment of fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials in paper leak cases. Protesters, however, maintain that judicial reforms alone are insufficient and continue to press for political accountability and structural changes to India’s examination system.
Unlike many political reactions, Tendulkar’s message steered clear of partisan criticism, focusing instead on the values of integrity, fairness and meritocracy. His remarks were widely shared on social media, with many users describing them as a timely appeal to restore trust in the country’s education system.
