The development was welcomed by students protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, while several prominent figures from India's film industry took to social media to express solidarity with the movement.

Dutt said he believed in democracy and the Constitution and praised the students for raising their concerns through what he described as democratic, constitutional and non-violent means.

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.