A fresh political controversy has emerged following remarks made by veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah regarding student protests at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata. On Saturday, BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari launched a sharp critique against the actor, questioning his motives and his alignment with the party's ideological opponents. The verbal sparring follows Shah's public defense of the students, who have been demanding administrative accountability at the prestigious film institute.
The tension originated from a video posted by Shah on Instagram, where he alleged that students at the institute were facing severe repercussions for expressing dissent. According to the actor, these students have been subjected to surveillance, intimidation, and threats to vacate their hostel accommodations. Shah explicitly accused the BJP-led government in West Bengal of pursuing a policy of vengeance against those who hold opposing viewpoints, particularly following the party’s performance in the state elections.
Responding to these allegations, BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari dismissed the actor's critique, framing it as an extension of a long-standing ideological divide. Tiwari claimed that the actor’s opposition to the BJP and the Sangh is inherited, stating, "Naseeruddin Shah is, by lineage, an opponent of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Sangh." The legislator further alleged that the actor’s familial ties to political figures, including a connection to a CPI(M) leader, influence his public stance on sensitive matters.
Tiwari further sought to undermine the actor's credibility by questioning his silence on other controversial political events in the region. He suggested that the actor had remained mute during incidents where local political leaders allegedly raised communal slogans. The BJP representative went on to characterize the actor's support for the protesting students as being part of a larger, potentially foreign-funded narrative, asserting that the public is observing these developments with skepticism.
The situation at the SRFTI campus has been volatile since late September. On September 27, reports emerged of violence on the institute’s premises. Filmmaker Payal Kapadia has joined the discourse, expressing solidarity with the students and alleging that individuals affiliated with the RSS entered the campus to assault those participating in the protests, including female students. She further questioned the administration’s decision to initiate punitive action against students who were merely seeking transparency.
As the standoff continues, Shah has urged the general public to extend their support to the students. He framed the student body as a group of emerging filmmakers who are committed to uncovering and presenting the truth about the current state of affairs within the country and the state. His call to action has amplified the visibility of the internal administrative issues at the institute, transforming a localized student grievance into a broader national political debate.
The escalation of rhetoric from both sides highlights the deepening polarization surrounding campus activism in the country. With the BJP and prominent cultural figures trading accusations, the situation at the SRFTI remains a focal point of public attention. Neither the institute’s administration nor the state government has issued a comprehensive statement addressing all the specific allegations raised by the actor and the students at the time of reporting.
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