Kamal Haasan Calls For Exam Reform, Says 'This Moment Is Bigger Than Paper Leaks'

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before Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation on July 25, actor-politician Kamal Haasan weighed in on the ongoing education protests, welcoming the Centre's decision to engage in dialogue with students. In a strongly worded statement, he said that "dissent deserves dialogue" and urged the government to seize the moment for meaningful reforms instead of treating it as just another paper leak controversy. Haasan also called for a National Commission on Education and Examination Reform, saying the current situation presents an opportunity to rebuild trust in India's education system. His remarks came hours before Pradhan's resignation was announced.

Kamal Haasan on exam paper leaks

Kamal Haasan shared a statement on X ahead of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, calling the Centre's decision to engage with protesting students a positive step. "Glad to see dialogue replacing confrontation. Dissent deserves dialogue. This is democracy in action," he wrote, welcoming talks over conflict.The actor-politician also condemned the use of force against protesters, stating, "Pellet guns, electric shock batons and nail-studded lathis have no place in the land of Bapu." At the same time, Haasan stressed that accountability should apply to everyone. "Equally, attacks on security personnel and public property must be examined fairly. Accountability cannot be selective," he added.Calling the current situation "bigger than paper leaks," Haasan urged the government to establish a National Commission on Education and Examination Reform with a three-month roadmap. He said the panel should focus on restoring trust in examinations, reducing academic stress and modernising the education system while also ensuring Tamil Nadu's concerns are heard. Referring to the late medical aspirant Anitha, he wrote that her death "first showed the human cost of a single high-stakes test," underscoring the need for comprehensive reforms.

Concluding his statement, Haasan welcomed the government's willingness to engage but stressed that dialogue must translate into lasting change. "The road ahead is long, but Indians must walk it together," he wrote, signing off with the hashtags #DoBetterIndia and #TogetherForChange.Meanwhile, several celebrities from the entertainment industry reacted to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation by voicing support for students and the demand for accountability in the education system. Priyanka Chopra, Dia Mirza, Abhishek Banerjee, Sonakshi Sinha, Sonam Kapoor, and others showed support. Vaani Kapoor dedicated the moment to students who "kept pushing, questioning and hoping," Dia Mirza, Vijay Varma, Ishaan Khatter, and others praised Gen-Z. Together, their reactions largely applauded the persistence of students and called for transparency and reform.