Former India cricket stars, led by Sachin Tendulkar, have voiced support for students protesting against repeated examination paper leaks, adding fresh momentum to a nationwide movement demanding reforms in India’s education system.

The cricketers shared messages on social media platform X, calling for a transparent examination system, protection of merit and fair treatment of students taking part in peaceful protests.

Sachin Tendulkar, India’s legendary batter, recalled lessons from his father, a professor, saying he had taught him from an early age that “failure is okay, cheating is not” and that there should never be shortcuts in life.

He said society had a responsibility to build a culture where hard work, honesty and merit were rewarded instead of outcomes achieved through unfair means.

“Today, when students feel disappointed that their hard work hasn’t been rewarded, it is understandable,” Tendulkar wrote, urging collective efforts to ensure young people never faced such disappointment again.

He expressed confidence that solutions would be found to strengthen children’s future and protect their aspirations.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan said students and their families spent years making sacrifices for a better future and that no paper leak should ever be allowed to destroy those hopes.

He said he had full faith that authorities would ensure every student received a fair opportunity and hoped all possible measures would be taken to prevent such incidents from recurring.

“Our students are our future. Protect their dreams,” Pathan wrote.

Former batter Mohammad Kaif also backed the students, expressing concern over police action against protesters in New Delhi.

“As a father it pains me to see students being roughed up by police for protesting over flaws in education,” Kaif wrote, adding that baton charges against students on Delhi’s streets should stop and expressing hope for an early resolution to the crisis.

Former Test cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar also expressed solidarity with the protesters.

“I stand in solidarity with the youth of India. Do not suppress them, give them wings. They will take India to new heights,” he wrote.

Former India batter Suresh Raina called for calm and constructive dialogue, saying every challenge created an opportunity to find better solutions.

He expressed hope that the current situation would lead to thoughtful decisions that created new opportunities for students, educational institutions and the country.

The protests are being led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a movement that began as a satirical social media campaign in May.

Its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, has demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over repeated leaks of medical entrance examination papers and broader failures in the education system.

Although the demonstrations began last month, they gained significant momentum after prominent social activist Sonam Wangchuk launched an indefinite hunger strike in support of the students.

Wangchuk ended his 26-day fast after receiving government assurances, but Dipke said the student-led protests would continue until their demands were met.

The movement against examination paper leaks and alleged flaws in India’s education system has intensified in recent weeks, drawing support from celebrities, public figures and now several of the country’s most prominent former cricketers.