Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has launched a strong attack on actor Naseeruddin Shah, calling him a “dangerous urban Naxal” and a “subversive intellectual” after the 76-year-old actor released a video backing protesting university students.
“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.
Rijiju said he had misjudged the actor’s leanings for years and called his conduct a threat to the nation’s democratic fabric. He is extremely detrimental to India’s democracy,” the Union minister said in a post on X.
Wearing a badge inscribed with the words ‘Dimagi Naxal’, a visibly upset Shah criticised the BJP government in the Centre. “I proudly declare that I am Dimagi Naxal. Challenging the administration over its handling of campus protests across the country, the actor questioned the Centre’s intent toward young Indians and public institutions. “…I want to ask this government a question. 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? How much will you do?
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,” Shah said in Hindi in the video. How far will you go?” he said.
‘Dimagi Naxal’ was a term first used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a speech and subsequently picked up by ruling party leaders to take a swipe at the Opposition as hardcore Maoist supporters despite having education that could have made them consider taking better paths.
