Bollywood actress Dia Mirza on Friday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response to the ongoing student protests, saying his statement came too late and failed to address the concerns of students and families affected by the crisis.

Hollywood actor John Cusack has backed student protests over alleged NEET irregularities by sharing an article from Booker Prize winning author and activist Arundhati Roy, who criticised the authorities over their handling of the demonstrations in Delhi.

Rhiya Ahir’s stand before a police vehicle in Mumbai bears a striking resemblance to Nusrat Jahan’s widely shared photograph from the July Uprising

Opposition steps up pressure on the Modi government while courts scrutinise police action

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has become the latest celebrity to voice his support for the CJP-led student protest. In recent days, several Bollywood figures have publicly backed the movement, calling on the government to pay attention to the concerns raised by young people.

The Prime Minister said authorities have been directed to take all necessary steps to safeguard students’ interests as protests over the NEET paper leak continue across the country.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the protest has entered its 34th day and appealed to Sonam Wangchuk to end his 26-day hunger strike, saying the movement cannot afford to lose his life.

When more than 10,000 young Indians marched from Jantar Mantar to the parliament in New Delhi on Monday—responding to a call by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement—police launched a crackdown on them with tear gas and batons, allegedly injuring about 150 protesters and detaining many others.

Motorcycles weave through traffic before pulling up beside clusters of volunteers, ferrying donations from supporters across India and abroad unable to join a rare display of public dissent against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

Here is a look at what sparked the protests and the situation now.