Incident at the Protest
Actor Sanam Shetty faced hostility on Tuesday evening after she labeled the ongoing anti-NEET protest near Valluvar Kottam in Chennai as “politically motivated.” As she voiced her opinion from the stage, organizers heckled her and snatched the microphone from her hand, according to eyewitnesses. Refusing to back down, Shetty confronted the organizers outside the venue, accusing them of shutting down dissent under the guise of fighting for freedom.
Sanam Shetty's Statement
In a video statement later shared on social media, Shetty said, “I was only pointing out that certain political parties are using the NEET issue to fan flames ahead of elections. When I tried to explain, they silenced me physically.” She emphasized that she supports fair education policies but objected to the partisan tone of the protest.
Background of the Protests
The anti-NEET protests have been ongoing for weeks, with students demanding the scrapping of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. According to local reports, over 10,000 students have participated in rallies across Tamil Nadu since July 2024. The protest at Valluvar Kottam on Tuesday drew an estimated 3,000 attendees. Sanam Shetty, known for her roles in Tamil cinema, attended the protest as a concerned citizen but was met with hostility after her remarks.
Social Media Reaction
Following the incident, the hashtag #SanamShetty trended on X (formerly Twitter). One user, @Pokkiri_Victor, posted a video of the confrontation with the caption: “ஒட்டுமொத்த கொத்தடிமைகளையும் single ah சேதச்சு விட்டாங்க..இதான்டா சம்பவம் ?????? @ungalsanam u rocked ??????” The post has garnered over 50,000 views. Supporters praised Shetty for standing her ground, while critics accused her of undermining student activism.
Response from Organizers
Protest organizers denied the allegations, claiming Shetty was not on the official speaker list and that her microphone was removed to maintain order. A spokesperson for the protest coordinating committee stated, “We welcome diverse opinions, but our platform is for students who have been affected by NEET. Ms. Shetty’s comments were misleading and we had no choice but to ask her to leave.” However, multiple attendees confirmed that Shetty was invited on stage by a student leader before the incident.
Impact and Wider Reactions
The incident has sparked debate about freedom of speech in public protests. Political leaders from both sides weighed in; DMK supporters condemned Shetty’s remarks, while opposition BJP leaders defended her right to express dissent. The police have not filed any complaint regarding the incident. This marks the third such confrontation at a protest in Chennai in the past month, highlighting growing tensions around the NEET issue in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 state elections.
