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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

‘Tiger’ backs ‘Cockroach’

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena (UBT) became the first political party to openly support the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) launched by a Maharashtra youth Abhijeet Dipke who launched a huge protest in New Delhi on Saturday. In a strong statement, SS (UBT) President and ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray threw his weight behind the CJP as thousands of youngsters hit the streets of New Delhi in the scorching sun, not for politics but for their future. “Those whom we call the architects of the nation's future have come...

‘Tiger’ backs ‘Cockroach’

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena (UBT) became the first political party to openly support the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) launched by a Maharashtra youth Abhijeet Dipke who launched a huge protest in New Delhi on Saturday. In a strong statement, SS (UBT) President and ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray threw his weight behind the CJP as thousands of youngsters hit the streets of New Delhi in the scorching sun, not for politics but for their future. “Those whom we call the architects of the nation's future have come out carrying their pain, frustration and anxiety about their future. It is wrong to ridicule them as ‘cockroaches’ and deny them justice,” said the SS (UBT) Tiger. Thackeray said the recent NEET paper leak scandal had shattered the dreams of lakhs of students and their families, raising questions in the minds of youngsters whether merit still matters – as the movement which started on social media has spilled onto the streets across the country. “All these aggrieved young men and women are now raising their voices by becoming ‘cockroaches’. The government must listen to their demands. Do not underestimate the ‘cockroaches’ – this is the warning given by the agitation (today) at Jantar Mantar,” said Thackeray sharply. The SS (UBT)’s supportive stance came against the backdrop of mounting anger among students over the alleged irregularities in major public examinations like NEET, CBSE, CUET, and recruitment processes, which has shaken confidence in the country's education system. The Protest Around dawn, Dipke, 30 – who launched the online movement three weeks ago from the USA – reached India as thousands of supporters waited patiently and peacefully near the Parliament Street Police Station. Many waved the National Tricolour, copies of the Constitution or books of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, others carried flowers which they offered to the 1000-plus alert security personnel deployed there, and several sported symbolic cockroach masks. In a brief address, Dipke accused the government of focusing more on the CJP’s online presence than on the serious issues raised by the students. “You may be able to delete our posts, but you cannot erase us from this space,” he roared, amid loud cheers and thundering applause from the crowd. He said there must be accountability in the form of the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, failing which the CJP will continue its protests in New Delhi and also other parts of India. Anticipating detention after his homecoming, Dipke: “I was fully prepared to sacrifice my freedom for this cause.” In a warm gesture, environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk arrived from Ladakh to join the protest, declared himself as an ‘Honorary cockroach’ and expressed solidarity with Dipke. “People ask what is achieved through protests, sit-ins and marches. It proves that we are alive. The government may treat us like insects, but we are alive and capable of fighting for our rights,” mocked the CJP in a social media statement The CJP volunteers repeatedly urged the protestors to maintain decorum and make their impact in a democratic manner, which the crowds adhered to, but raised full-throated slogans intermittently, even as the protest ended without any untoward incidents. Incidentally, the Delhi Police granted permission for the demonstrations by allowing the crowds to gather directly at Jantar Mantar grounds as a ‘one-time exemption’. Demonstrations expressing solidarity to the cause were held in different parts of the country while tight security was deployed outside Dipke’s home in Chhatrapati Sambhajinar. Why are students forced to agitate?: Aaditya Thackeray Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray said why the students are being compelled to agitate when they should be planning out academic future and career options. “The young students exposed the NEET leak scam, or the CBSE marks scandal. The minister should have resigned or should have been sacked, some officials have been transferred but not suspended. The government should be ashamed of the situation,” said Aditya.

Aamir Should Not Be A Role Model

Aamir Khan is undoubtedly one of the most influential actors in Indian cinema, with a career filled with landmark films and a reputation for perfectionism in his craft. However, the growing debate around whether he should be considered a “role model” for youngsters is not just about films – it is about the gap between public image and personal life, and how that gap is now being judged in the social media era.


A role model is not just someone who succeeds professionally, but someone whose life choices are seen as stable, consistent, and worth emulating. This is where the criticism begins. Over the years, Aamir Khan has often spoken in interviews about love, relationships, and personal values in a way that projects certainty and conviction. However, his real-life decisions, particularly around relationships and marriages, have often appeared to shift over time, leading critics to question that consistency.


Whether it is his multiple marriages or the way his personal relationships have played out in the public eye, these events have ensured that his private life remains under constant scrutiny. In today’s digital world, every public statement and every personal development is archived, compared, and debated. As a result, any perceived contradiction between what is said publicly and what unfolds privately quickly becomes fuel for criticism and trolling.


This is why the backlash he faces online is not entirely random. It comes from a section of users who feel that when a public figure builds a strong moral or disciplined image, there is an expectation of alignment between that image and real-life behaviour. When that alignment appears weak or inconsistent, disappointment often turns into ridicule, especially on social media platforms where nuance is usually lost.


There is also a broader cultural expectation at play in India, where film stars are often treated as more than entertainers. They are seen as lifestyle icons, moral examples, and in some cases even informal influencers of youth behaviour. In such a context, any perceived inconsistency in a celebrity’s personal life is magnified far more than it might be in other entertainment industries globally.


At the same time, the discussion also exposes a double standard in public perception. While audiences admire celebrities for their success, discipline, and achievements, they also demand personal perfection, which is rarely realistic for anyone – public figure or not. This tension between admiration and expectation is what makes figures like Aamir Khan frequent subjects of debate.


It is also important to separate professional excellence from personal life. There is no doubt that Aamir Khan’s contribution to Indian cinema is significant, and his films have influenced both audiences and the industry. But being a great actor or filmmaker does not automatically make someone a template for personal life decisions or relationships.


Ultimately, the criticism and trolling he is currently facing reflect a larger question about modern celebrity culture: should public figures be judged as role models based on their professional achievements, or should their personal lives also meet the standards of public expectation? In the case of Aamir Khan, social media has clearly leaned toward the latter, and that is where the controversy continues to grow.

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