Aamir Khan’s daughter Ira Khan has responded to questions on why she has remained silent on the ongoing student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), saying she does not feel she has anything meaningful to contribute to the conversation.Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Ira shared a long video explaining his decision, adding that his approach to distressing news was shaped by his mental health and the need to protect his emotional well-being.His statement comes days after several Bollywood celebrities, including Salman Khan, Imran Khan, Alia Bhatt, Shatrughan Sinha, Sonakshi Sinha, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Anupam Kher, Shekhar Suman and others expressed support for the students protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.Explaining why he chose not to comment publicly, Ira said he did not believe his opinion would add value to the ongoing discussion.“I am truly an advocate for mental health and I ask for your attention every time I speak about these topics. I think mental health is the whole of life,” he said.He added, “The first thing that came to my mind was that I didn’t think I had anything to say that would add to the conversation in any way.”
“I don’t watch the news”
Ira revealed that she deliberately avoids consuming depressing news because it leaves her feeling overwhelmed and helpless.“Usually I don’t look at it. I don’t go to my Explore page. I don’t see any videos of violence or any videos of protest. I know it’s happening and I know what’s happening, but I don’t let myself emotionally get to it because it bothers me and I’m overwhelmed,” he said.However, he explained that he prefers to focus his energy on what individuals can do in their own capacity rather than constantly engaging in inflammatory news.“I shift my energy and focus to find out how an individual person can navigate the best they can… I’m not saying this is the best approach, but this is what I do,” he added.
Cousin’s safety makes him ‘scared’
Ira shared that the issue became personal when someone sent him a reel saying that his cousin Zayn Marie Khan was among those detained during one of the protests.“I was sent a reel and told that my cousin was in it and that he might go to jail for one of the protests and I was scared. As soon as I knew he was safe, I went back to work,” he said.He added that if his silence was interpreted as indifference, it was not his intention.“I didn’t say anything because I didn’t realize that what I said would have made a difference… If I didn’t say it in any way that I didn’t care, then I’m sorry. That was not my intention,” he said.
“Foresight is a privilege”
In the caption accompanying his video, Ira admits that it’s a privilege to disconnect from the news.“I see that being able to look away … to have the option of everyone to look away … is a privilege. I think about what my most helpful role is in line with my values and that’s what I will do,” he wrote.
PM Narendra Modi promises ‘stricter action against paper leaks’
For almost a month, the student protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continued at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, with activist Sonam Wangchuk and many students joining the movement, including through a hunger strike.The protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET paper leak and called for wider reforms in the examination system.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced tougher measures against paper leaks, as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination continued across the country.In a self-recorded video shared by X, the Prime Minister said the Union Cabinet will consider a draft Bill proposing Fast-Track Courts and stricter punishment for those involved in paper leak cases.“I have given directions to the departments to set up Fast-Track Courts,” Modi said, adding that the government has already taken action against the accused in the recent exam paper leak cases.“And so, in the last two and a half months since the paper leak incidents, many great steps have been taken. The culprits were caught; they are now in jail,” he said.The announcement came as student agitation over alleged irregularities in NEET-UG 2026 continued, with protesters demanding accountability and reforms in the examination system.Meanwhile, on Friday, Prime Minister Modi urged activist Sonam Wangchuk to prioritize her health after she ended her 26-day hunger strike.Wangchuk’s fast attracted nationwide attention, with leaders from political parties and civil society asking him to call off the protest.Earlier, Wangchuk said 65 Members of Parliament had visited him or signed letters urging him to end the hunger strike, expressing concern that prolonged protests could lead to chaos.He said his decision to end the fast came after long discussions on the conditions surrounding the protest and emphasized that it is important to prevent any kind of violence.
