KATSEYE's Lara Raj called 'performative' after sharing 'I stand with Indian students' message following Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation: 'It's done, bro'

Global girl group KATSEYE's Lara Raj has become one of the biggest Gen Z faces, putting India on the global pop culture map. Proud of her Tamil roots and backed by a massive Indian fanbase, the 20-year-old has amassed 6 million Instagram followers, making her the second most-followed KATSEYE member behind Manon Bannerman (6.7 million), whose numbers soared after announcing her hiatus from the group.


That is exactly why many fans expected Lara, a Tamil-American, to use her platform during the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where students rallied over the NEET paper leak controversy. But when her response only came after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned, social media turned on the singer, with many accusing her of speaking up only after the moment had passed.


Lara Raj has given countless brown girls the confidence to embrace their roots unapologetically. As a member of KATSEYE, the global girl group built on diversity and inclusivity, she has proudly represented her Indian heritage, from embracing her tanned skin to wearing a bindi on international stages. For many fans, she became a symbol of modern desi representation.

That is why many expected her to speak up as one of India's biggest Gen Z-led movements unfolded. As protests over the NEET paper leak gained momentum across the country, fans looked to Lara to use her platform and share her thoughts. But for days, she remained silent.


Her response eventually came as she reshared a CJP post on her Instagram Story. The CJP post featured a photo of a woman from the Mumbai Protest who became the face of the movement after she was photographed stopping a police bus carrying detained protesters. Sharing the image on her Instagram Story, Lara wrote, "Students of India, I stand with you and you have all of my love and support."

Lara's message of support only came after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) called off its agitation following a round of meetings with Union Ministers J. P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh on July 25. The timing did not sit well with many fans, who accused the KATSEYE member of speaking up only after the movement had effectively come to an end.

Referencing Salman Khan's now-viral tweet requesting activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike in solidarity with the CJP, one fan wrote, "It's done, bro." "First no shade the protest is done...I mean I get it she might be busy and SHE IS AMERICAN INDIAN IS HER ETHNICITY. Not all news might reach her but she should and this account should also do some researches cause it done...it should congratulations not I am supporting," one person wrote.

Another user wrote, "As an indian woman, this girl is so performative it’s almost like she’s cosplaying." "Speaking up only after everything's over and after getting called out. it just feels performative. She only uses Indian culture when it's convenient," added a third X user. "She is always so late to the party after everyone calls her out, just performative," one person wrote.


For many fans, Lara's response also echoed a familiar pattern often associated with Bollywood celebrities, who have been criticised for speaking out only after major developments. Actors like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ananya Panday and Sara Ali Khan only addressed the issue after Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly broke his silence. Meanwhile, Priyanka Chopra's reaction, shared as a comment on journalist Faye D'Souza's social media post, came only after former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.

In contrast, Sonakshi Sinha has drawn praise online for consistently and openly backing the student-led movement, with many users applauding her for speaking up fiercelyin support of students and young people.