Hard work must be rewarded, cheating has no place: Sachin amid NEET protests
Batting great Sachin Tendulkar has called for a transparent merit-based system, saying students should never feel that their hard work has gone unrewarded, amid nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the education system.
Without directly commenting on the ongoing movement demanding the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Tendulkar emphasized the importance of honesty, merit and collective responsibility in shaping the country’s future.
In a post on X, the cricket legend recalled a lesson from his father, who was a professor. “My father was a professor. He was a mentor and guide to many young students. One of the lessons he instilled in him early on was, ‘Failure is okay, cheating is not. Never take shortcuts.”
Tendulkar said society must ensure that effort is rewarded over shortcuts and that merit remains the guiding principle. “As adults in society, we have a responsibility to shape the culture. A society that values results over effort will look for shortcuts over meritocracy. Today, when students feel disappointed that their hard work hasn’t been rewarded, it’s understandable. We should all work together to make sure they don’t feel that way again,” he wrote.
Describing the Indian youth as the country’s greatest strength, Tendulkar urged all stakeholders to create an environment where honesty and hard work are recognized.
“Young India is full of dreams and energy. They are the fuel of our success. As a society, we all, including parents, teachers, friends, relatives, schools and administrators, have a huge responsibility and various roles to play in ensuring that our youth remain encouraged and energized.”
“We need to create a culture where hard work is rewarded, honesty is encouraged and merit wins. I am sure we will all find solutions to strengthen our children’s future and protect their aspirations. Jai Hind!”
Tendulkar’s remarks came against the backdrop of protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party demanding the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged shortcomings in the education system.
Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk extended support to the movement through an indefinite fast. Wangchuk, who was fasting at Jantar Mantar, was initially taken to Safdarjung Hospital after his vital parameters deteriorated. He was later shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after his wife approached the Delhi High Court seeking his transfer from the government facility.
The protests intensified on July 20, when thousands of students attempted to march towards parliament to express their frustration. The demonstration was stopped by the Delhi Police, who used tear gas and lathi-charge to disperse the crowd.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
23 Jul 2026 20:48 IST