Naseeruddin Shah Sparks Row After Calling Himself Dimagi Naxal
Actor Naseeruddin Shah criticized the Indian government and adopted the label Dimagi Naxal, prompting Union Minister Kiren Rijiju to call him a dangerous subversive intellectual.
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah sparked a political controversy after posting a video to Facebook in which he proudly declared himself a "Dimagi Naxal." Using a term originally coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah accused the BJP-led government of being "illegitimate" and claimed it is attempting to destroy the education system, break the courage of the nation's youth, and put democracy at risk.
Shah's remarks were tied to his support for students at several institutions, including the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Jamia Millia Islamia. At Jamia, students are protesting for the restoration of their student union, which has been dissolved since 2006. Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi condemned reports of campus "hooliganism" but announced a committee to examine student grievances.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju responded on X, labeling Shah a "dangerous urban Naxal" and a "subversive intellectual." Rijiju stated that while he previously respected the actor, he now views Shah as "extremely detrimental to India's democracy." Actor Puneet Issar also joined the criticism, accusing Shah of selective criticism regarding national interests. The dispute coincides with broader youth-led protests by the Cockroach Janta Party demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter disenfranchisement.
