Shekhar SumanShekhar’s return Tonite, a new version of his classic Movers & Shakers, has quickly become a hot topic in pop culture circles. While the show features celebrity interviews and covers current events, it’s the opening monologue that’s been generating the most buzz, with Suman offering his mix of wit and sharp commentary on the issues shaping national conversations. In his most recent episode, he took on the police crackdown on students protesting education reforms at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar earlier this week.
Shekhar Suman says he has only cried
The actor began the episode with a heavy heart, bringing up the police crackdown as he shared, “Before we start the show, I want to share something with all of you. What happened on July 20 at Jantar Mantar in Delhi with those innocent, unarmed and defenseless children was heartbreaking. The way they beat them with clubs, with such cruelty, brutality and impiety, leaving them bleeding, has shaken me to my core. I haven’t slept for three days; I just cried.”He then pushed back against the crackdown and asked, “What was wrong with those young, innocent children? That they spoke up against injustice and oppression. That they stood up for their rights, for their future and, beyond that, for the future of this country. They demanded a healthy education system. And instead of being listened to, they were accused and attacked.” He continued to express his support for the protesters, saying: “In this difficult time, I stand with all the fearless youth, all the coordinators, all the youth and all Indians whose hearts beat for the dignity of this nation and who have the courage to speak out against injustice.“
Shekhar Suman invokes the Mahabharata
Invoking the Mahabharata as a metaphor, he added, “Even without Krishna, another Mahabharata is about to unfold. The throne will have to be challenged. Since we have discussed the Mahabharata, let me remind you: The Mahabharata did not begin in Kurukshetra. It started the day Hastinapur stopped listening to its own youth. Because the story turns precisely at the moment when those in power begin to believe that they no longer need to listen to anyone else.“Continuing her monologue, Suman reflected on how young voices have historically shaped power struggles. “The fascinating thing about history is that the people who are dismissed as insignificant are often the very ones who shake the foundations of power. They are called undisciplined, anti-national, incompetent, but remember this: the more you try to crush them, the stronger they come back. The more you reject them, the more they spread. They survive not because of power, but because of determination.” He further said, “Revolutions are very similar. They are not born within parliaments. They are born into homes where hard work is plentiful but opportunities are few. They are not born of swords, but of humiliation. They are born the day an entire generation says: “Enough. No more”.
Shekhar Suman had supported Wangchuk’s hunger strike
Towards the end of her monologue, Suman revealed that she had hesitated whether to continue with the episode amid the raging debate over the student protests, but ultimately felt that the show had no choice but to talk. “But then I realized: This show is the voice of the people. In my first episode, I promised to bring you an honest voice. My strength comes from you. And as I always say, the show must go on. So I decided to do the show. And I assure you: I accompany you in this fight with all my strength. Welcome to Shekhar tonight.”This is not the first time Suman has spoken on the issue. Last week, he lent his support to education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. On Wangchuk’s protest, Suman had said, “For the past few days, social activist Sonam Wangchuk is on hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. I’m surprised no one else seems surprised. One person is on a hunger strike for the betterment of the country and society, for the future of students and to save the crumbling structure of our education system, while the establishment is at ease. An establishment that is not only dumb, deaf and without empathy, but also narrow-minded, stony and heartless.”
Bollywood joins Shekhar Suman in support of students
In recent days, several names from the film industry, Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, kareena kapoor Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Varun Dhawan i Naseeruddin Shah among themselves, they have shown their support for the protesting students, and have urged the government to sit down and talk about their demands.