Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has launched a scathing attack on veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, labeling him a “dangerous urban Naxal” and a “subversive intellectual.” The minister’s remarks follow a video posted by the 76-year-old actor on Facebook, in which he extended his support to students protesting at Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia. The students are currently campaigning for the restoration of their student union, demanding a fixed election schedule and a clear timeline for the ratification of the union's constitution.
In a post on the social media platform X, Rijiju expressed disillusionment with the actor, stating that he had long misunderstood Shah’s political leanings. “I used to respect and like Naseeruddin Shah, thinking he was just an ordinary actor. I had no idea that he was a dangerous urban Naxal, a subversive intellectual. I discovered his true character far too late. He is extremely detrimental to India’s democracy,” the minister wrote.
The controversy stems from a video in which Shah appeared wearing a badge bearing the phrase “Dimagi Naxal.” The term, which has become a recurring element in political discourse, was originally used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a public speech. Since then, leaders within the ruling party have frequently employed the expression to target figures who are critical of the government, often portraying them as aligned with extremist ideologies despite their backgrounds.
In the video, a visibly upset Shah challenged the central government regarding its handling of student movements at various educational institutions across the country. He specifically highlighted protests at Jawaharlal Nehru University, the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), and Jamia Millia Islamia. Questioning the authorities, the actor asked, “What else will you do to break the courage of our country’s youth, to destroy the education system, and to put our democracy at risk?”
Shah’s recent activism has been marked by a series of video statements regarding student unrest. Earlier this month, he voiced support for students at SRFTI in Kolkata, who have been engaged in an indefinite protest following incidents of campus violence. Furthermore, in July, the actor publicly criticized the government’s management of protests surrounding the NEET paper leak controversy. At Jamia Millia Islamia, the lack of student union elections—which have been suspended since 2006 following campus violence—remains the core issue for the protesters.
During his address in the video, Shah responded to labels frequently used by critics to describe government dissenters. “I proudly declare that I am Dimagi Naxal. I don’t know what other nicknames the watchmen have given to people like me, anti-national, tukde tukde gang, and I don’t know what else,” he remarked. He concluded his message by reciting a verse from the poem Sarfaroshi ki tamanna, emphasizing his commitment to the ongoing student cause.
The exchange highlights the widening gap between the government and public intellectuals regarding the state of university campuses. As the situation at Jamia Millia Islamia continues to evolve, the rhetoric surrounding student representation and the government's response to dissent remains a significant point of national debate. Neither the minister nor the actor has provided further comments following their respective social media statements.
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