Sachin Tendulkar: Cheating not okay in NEET protests. The cricket legend spoke out amid nationwide demonstrations over alleged NEET paper leak irregularities, calling on society to protect meritocracy. In a post on X, Sachin Tendulkar reflected on values his late father taught him, saying, “Failure is okay, cheating is not. Never take shortcuts.” He stressed the importance of a culture where hard work and honesty are rewarded over outcomes.
Sachin Tendulkar acknowledged students’ frustration, noting their disappointment when hard work goes unrecognized. He urged society to ensure youth never lose faith in meritocracy, emphasizing a collective duty involving parents, teachers, and administrators. The batting great did not directly comment on investigations but highlighted that prioritizing effort over shortcuts builds a fair system.
Other cricketers joined the call. Shikhar Dhawan urged patience with institutions, while Mohammad Kaif expressed pain over police action against student protesters. Irfan Pathan emphasized that years of student effort and family sacrifices should not be overshadowed by a paper leak, demanding fair opportunities. The protests, backed by the Cockroach Janata Party and activist Sonam Wangchuk, have escalated with clashes.
In conclusion, Sachin Tendulkar’s message reinforces that protecting educational integrity is vital for India’s future. His words, along with support from fellow cricketers, underline a shared responsibility to create a culture where merit wins and students remain encouraged.