Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma Face Boycott Calls Over Silence on Student Protests Amid Visit to Premanand Ji Maharaj in Vrindavan
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma's recent visit to Premanand Maharaj's ashram in Vrindavan on July 22, 2026, has ignited a social media storm. The celebrity couple is facing intense backlash for their perceived silence on the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led student protests in New Delhi, demanding education reforms and accountability for the NEET paper leak.
Bollywood power couple Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli found themselves at the centre of an online storm on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, following their spiritual sojourn to Premanand Maharaj's ashram in Vrindavan. The celebrity duo's visit, widely captured and shared across social media, has ignited a fierce debate, with many netizens expressing disappointment over their apparent silence regarding the escalating student protests in the national capital. Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma Visit Vrindavan to Seek Premanand Ji Maharaj’s Blessings (Watch Video).
Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli Seek Premanand Maharaj's Blessings
On Wednesday morning, the couple was seen at Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Ashram in Vrindavan, where they reportedly sought blessings from spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj ahead of Guru Purnima. Photos and videos circulating online showed Virat and Anushka dressed in simple attire, with Anushka in a white and blue outfit and Virat in a brown shirt and beige pants. Both were seen walking barefoot during their spiritual visit, keeping a low profile and covering their faces with masks.
Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli Clicked in Vrindavan
View this post on Instagram
This is not their first visit to the revered guru; the couple has made multiple trips to Vrindavan for spiritual guidance over the years, with their first meeting with Premanand Maharaj on January 4, 2023, and subsequent visits including January 10, May 14, and December 16 in 2025, and February 16, April 22, and June 2 in 2026. Their spiritual inclination has often been noted, with past visits to other sacred sites like the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain and Neem Karoli Baba's ashram in Uttarakhand.
Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohli Face Criticism Over Silence on Student Protests
However, their recent spiritual outing coincided with intense student protests in New Delhi, spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The demonstrations, primarily at Jantar Mantar, are demanding urgent education reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, following allegations surrounding the NEET paper leak. The protests escalated with an alleged lathi-charge on students during their 'Chalo Sansad' march towards Parliament on Monday, July 20, 2026.
Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma Face Backlash Over Silence on CJP Protests
Social media platforms quickly became a battleground for public opinion, with a significant number of users questioning Kohli and Sharma's decision to remain silent on such a critical national issue. Many netizens criticised their "nonchalant behaviour" and expressed expectations for the high-profile couple, particularly Virat Kohli, who hails from Delhi, to publicly support the students. When Salim Khan Revealed Salman Khan Passed Exams Using Leaked Papers; Old Video Resurfaces After Actor Backs NEET Students – WATCH.
Comments online reflected deep frustration, with one user on X (formerly Twitter) stating, “He does not have SPINE to talk about the youth & ongoing protest..Utter Shame.” Another comment urged, “What about supporting the Jantar Mantar protests since he is from Delhi?” While some fans defended the couple, many others continued to call for their solidarity with the protesting students. Meanwhile, several other Bollywood celebrities, including Huma Qureshi, Naseeruddin Shah, Diljit Dosanjh, and Shabana Azmi, have reportedly voiced their support for the student movement and condemned the alleged police actions.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 23, 2026 11:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
