It’s done bro: Alia Bhatt, Sonakshi Sinha celebrate democracy as Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as Education Minister

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as the Union Education Minister on Saturday, July 25, after days of nationwide protests. The resignation came after the alleged NEET exam paper leak. Prahlad Joshi has been appointed as the new Union Education Minister.

Several Bollywood celebrities, including Alia Bhatt, Ibrahim Ali Khan, Zoya Akhtar, Sonakshi Sinha, Salman Khan and others, reacted to the news of Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

Alia shared her reaction on her Instagram Stories after the news broke. She wrote, “Gen Z showed up! The rest is history.” Two days earlier, she had shared a note that read, “The last few days have broken my heart and then mended it, again and again, with hope. Behind every student standing their ground is a dream, a family’s hope, a journey of countless sacrifices.”

She further added, “They represent not just themselves but everyone who has supported them, while creating a better path for those who will come after them. Their courage humbles me. Their resolve is a mirror held up to all of us, asking whether we are truly listening to the very people who will inherit and shape this country’s tomorrow. For the students. By the students. The future is theirs. Jai Hind.”

“Happy to see voices heard. It’s done bro,” wrote Ibrahim on his Instagram Stories, referencing how Salman Khan had earlier written, “Sonam, it’s done, bro,” while asking Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike. Ibrahim also shared another Story that read, “Democracy. Gen Z and the youth of India,” along with salute and Indian flag emojis. Sara Ali Khan also wrote “Democracy” on her Instagram Stories with heart, Indian flag and folded hands emojis.

“India won today. Democracy won today. The collective empathy of millions washed the apathy of habit. So f**king proud. THIS is the INDIA I grew up in. Maa tujhe salaam,” wrote Ishaan Khatter while posting a picture of himself holding a drawing that read “Inquilaab Zindabad” (Long Live the Revolution). Zoya Akhtar also reacted to the news with clapping emojis on a journalist’s post about Pradhan’s resignation.

Tina Dutta, Ayesha Kanga, Malaika Arora, Anjali Sivaraman, Shibani Akhtar and several others also reacted to the news on social media. Prakash Raj, Shabana Azmi, Hanumankind, Gurfateh Pirzada, Pratibha Ranta, Shalini Pandey, Arivu and others took part in protests across the country. After the Chalo Sansad march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament resulted in the use of lathis and tear gas by the Delhi Police, protests intensified nationwide.

Ranvir expressed shock with a GIF on X (formerly Twitter) when news of Pradhan’s resignation broke. “And in one swift move the Modi govt has managed to win over none of its enemies, and disenchant a lot of its supporters. #masterstroke,” he wrote, along with clapping emojis.

When an X user asked him whether he thought Pradhan should not have resigned over the alleged NEET paper leak, Ranvir clarified his stance. Referring to the protests led by the CJP, he wrote, “Yes, but should have done it before the streets were held hostage. Now it seems supporters will not be heard, but ‘cockroaches’ on streets will!”

Meanwhile, Bollywood celebrities have been vocal in their support of the movement, both online and offline. Prakash Raj, Shabana Azmi and Hanumankind participated in the Delhi protests, while Sonakshi Sinha, Vijay Varma and others voiced their support online. Gurfateh Pirzada, Pratibha Ranta, Shalini Pandey and many others also attended the Mumbai protests.