Aamir Khan’s daughter Ira Khan has responded to questions about why she remains silent on the CJP-led student protests, saying she feels she has nothing meaningful to contribute to the conversation.Ella shared a lengthy video on Instagram on Thursday explaining her decision, adding that the way she dealt with the distressing news was informed by her mental health and the need to protect her emotional well-being.A few days ago, Salman Khan, Imran Khan, Alia Bhatt, Shatrughan Sinha, Sonakshi Sinha, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Anupam Kher, Shekhar Suman and many other Bollywood celebrities expressed support for the students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.In explaining why she chose not to comment publicly, Ella said she did not believe her views would add value to the ongoing discussion.“Really, I’m an advocate for mental health and whenever I talk about these topics, I ask everyone to pay attention. I think mental health is what life is all about,” she said.She added, “My first thought was that I didn’t think I had anything to say that would add to the conversation in any way.”
“I don’t watch the news”
Ella revealed she deliberately avoided dealing with the distressing news because it left her feeling overwhelmed and helpless.“I usually don’t watch it. I don’t go into my Explore page. I don’t see any violent videos or any protest videos. I know they’re happening, I know what’s going on, but I don’t allow myself to get to it emotionally because it really bothers me and I’m overwhelmed,” she said.Instead, she explained, she prefers to focus on what individuals can do within their own capabilities rather than constantly dealing with disturbing news.“I shifted my energy and focus to figuring out how a person can best navigate…I’m not saying that’s the best way, but that’s what I do,” she added.
She was ‘panicked’ by her cousin’s safety
Ella shared that the issue became personal when someone sent her a scroll claiming that her cousin, Zayn Marie Khan, was one of those detained at a protest.“I received a roll and was told that my cousin was in it and that she might be detained at one of the protests and I was horrified. Once I realized she was safe, I went back to work,” she said.She added that if her silence was interpreted as indifference, that was never her intention.“I didn’t say anything because I didn’t realize that anything I said would have an impact… If me not speaking out implies that I don’t care, then I’m sorry. That was not my intention,” she said.
“It’s a privilege to look away”
In the video’s caption, Ella admitted it was a privilege to be away from the news.“I think it’s a privilege to be able to look away…to be able to choose to look away…I’m figuring out what my most helpful role is that aligns with my values, and that’s what I’m going to do,” she wrote.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promises ‘tighter action on document leaks’
Student protests led by the Cockroach Jantar Party (CJP) have continued at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for nearly a month, with activist Sonam Wangchuk and several students joining the movement, including a hunger strike.Protesters are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing irregularities in the leak of NEET exam papers and calling for wider reforms to the exam system.As protests led by the Cockroach Jantar Party (CJP) against irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 exam continue across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced tougher measures to crack down on paper leaks.In a self-recorded video shared on“I have issued instructions to various departments to set up fast-track courts,” Modi said, adding that the government had taken action against the accused in recent question paper leak cases.“That’s why, in the two and a half months since the document breach occurred, several significant steps have been taken. The culprits have been caught; they are currently behind bars,” he said.The news comes as the student agitation over alleged irregularities in NEET-UG 2026 continues, with protesters demanding accountability and reforms in the exam system.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged activist Sonam Wangchuk to prioritize his health after ending his 26-day hunger strike.Wangchuck’s fast attracted national attention, with leaders of political parties and civil society calling on him to call off the protests.Earlier, Wangchuk said 65 members of parliament had either visited him or signed letters urging him to end the hunger strike, and feared prolonged protests could lead to riots.He said his decision to end the fast came after lengthy discussions about the conditions for the protests, stressing that it was important to prevent any form of violence.