Aamir Khan’s daughter Ira Khan has addressed questions about why she remained silent on the ongoing student protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), saying she didn’t think she had anything meaningful to contribute to the conversation.On Instagram Thursday, Ira shared a lengthy video explaining her decision, adding that her approach to distressing news is shaped by her mental health and the need to protect her 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 their support for the students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.Explaining why he chose not to comment publicly, Ira said he did not believe his opinion would have added value to the ongoing discussion.“It’s true that I’m an advocate for mental health and I ask for your attention whenever I talk about these issues. I believe that mental health is all of life,” he said.He added: “The first thing that comes to mind is that I didn’t think he 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 distressing news because it leaves her feeling overwhelmed and helpless.“I usually don’t look at it. I don’t go on my Explore page. I haven’t seen any videos of violence or any videos of the protest. I know it’s happening and I know what’s happening, but I don’t let it get to me emotionally because it really bothers me and I feel overwhelmed,” she said.Instead, he explained, he prefers to focus his energy on what individuals can do in their own capacity rather than constantly engaging with upsetting news.“I divert my energy and focus on figuring out how an individual person can navigate the best they can… I’m not saying that’s the best approach, but that’s what I do,” he added.
Cousin’s safety ‘scared’ her
Ira shared that the issue became personal when someone sent her a video claiming that her cousin Zayn Marie Khan was among those arrested during one of the protests.“They sent me a reel and said my cousin was there and she was potentially being arrested at one of the protests and I freaked out. As soon as I realized I was safe, I went back to work,” she said.He added that if his silence was interpreted as indifference, it was never his intention.“I didn’t say anything because I didn’t realize that saying something would make a difference… If my not saying anything implied in any way that I don’t care, then I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention,” he said.
“Looking the other way is a privilege”
In the caption accompanying his video, Ira acknowledged that being able to disconnect from the news is a privilege.“I see being able to look the other way…having the option to look the other way…is a privilege. I’m figuring out what my most useful role can be that aligns with my values and that’s what I’m going to do,” she wrote.
PM Narendra Modi promises ‘stricter action against paper leaks’
For almost a month, the student protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has continued at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, with activist Sonam Wangchuk and several students joining the movement, including through a hunger strike.The protesters are calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the leaking of NEET papers and are calling for wider reforms in the examination system.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced tougher measures against paper leaks as protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination continued across the country.In a self-recorded video shared on X, the Prime Minister said the Union Cabinet would consider a draft law proposing fast-track courts and stricter punishments for those involved in paper leak cases.“I have instructed the departments to set up fast track courts,” Modi said, adding that the government had already taken action against the accused in the recent exam paper leak cases.“And that is why, in the last two and a half months since the paper leak incidents, several important steps have been taken. The culprits have been caught; they are currently in jail,” he said.The announcement came as student agitation over alleged NEET-UG 2026 irregularities continued, with protesters demanding accountability and reforms in the exam system.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi on Friday urged activist Sonam Wangchuk to prioritize her health after ending her 26-day hunger strike.Wangchuk’s fast had attracted nationwide attention, with leaders from all political parties and civil society calling on him to call off the protest.Earlier, Wangchuk said 65 members of Parliament had either visited him or signed letters urging him to end the hunger strike, expressing concern that the prolonged protest could lead to riots.He said his decision to end the fast came after long discussions about the conditions surrounding the protest and stressed that it was important to prevent any kind of violence.