NEW DELHI: India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill speaking amid ongoing student protests over repeated examination paper leaks, urged compassion, mutual respect and a renewed focus on protecting students’ interests.In a message shared on his Instagram story on Thursday, Gill emphasized that India’s youth deserve every opportunity to pursue their dreams and help build the country’s future. Without mentioning any specific protest or political issue, the 26-year-old underlined the importance of education and expressed support for those who raise their voices peacefully. “As a young Indian, I believe our generation deserves every opportunity to learn, dream and shape the future we all dream of,” Gill wrote.His statement came against the backdrop of widespread protests in many parts of the country, where students took to the streets demanding accountability for repeated examination paper leaks.
“I have great respect” for peaceful voices
Gill acknowledged the concerns of the youth and praised those who chose peaceful means to express their opinions.“I have great respect for every young person who believes in making their voice peacefully heard.”The Indian skipper said that education remains one of the strongest pillars of nation building and urged everyone to approach the situation with empathy.“Education has the power to shape the future of our country. I hope we move forward with compassion, mutual respect and keeping the best interests of every student at heart.”He ended his message with a simple but powerful request. “For the future of India.”Gill’s comments add the voice of one of the country’s biggest sports stars to the growing conversation about ensuring fairness and trust in India’s education system.
Sporting fraternity rally behind the students
Gill is one of several leading Indian sportspersons who have publicly reacted to the ongoing protests.Once upon a time, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar urges society to build a culture where honesty and merit trump shortcuts.“Failure is okay, cheating is not. Never take shortcuts,” Tendulkar wrote, adding that students’ frustration is understandable if hard work is not rewarded.India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra also emphasized the importance of a strong education system, saying that the true strength of a country lies in the opportunities it creates for its youth.“An education system that inspires confidence, rewards merit and nurtures curiosity is one of the country’s greatest strengths,” Bindra said, expressing hope that India will continue to strengthen its education system for generations to come.Grandmaster Nihal Sarin called for accountability, saying the pressure students face while preparing for crucial exams should not be ignored.Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif said it was painful to see students being lathi-charged during the protests and hoped that a solution would emerge soon.Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan said no paper leak should destroy the family’s years of hard work and sacrifice, while: Shikhar Dhawan appealed for patience, dialogue and faith in the country’s institutions as the way forward.