Union Minister Kiren Rijiju launched a scathing attack on Naseeruddin Shah, labelling him a “dangerous urban dimagi naxal” and a “subversive intellectual” after the 76-year-old actor released a video backing protesting university students. The video posted on Facebook on Tuesday showed Shah came out in support of Jamia Millia Islamia students, who have been protesting for the restoration of the students’ union, and called himself a “dimagi naxal”.
He also accused the central Government of trying to destroy the education system and break the “courage of the country’s youth”. Shah was also wearing a “dimagi naxal” pin that he showed to the camera. Hitting back, Rijiju, minister for minority affairs, in a post late Wednesday, said he used to respect Shah, but came to know of his “real character” very late.
“I thought Naseeruddin Shah was just an ordinary actor. I used to respect & like him... I never knew that he was a dangerous urban Dimagi Naxal.” He said, adding, “I came to know about his real character very late. (His views are) extremely harmful to India’s democracy.”
The term ‘dimagi naxal’ was first used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address. He described “dimagi naxals” as those who have allegedly entrenched themselves in the system and continue to pose a threat to society by manipulating policies.
Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC also questioned Shah over his remarks. She said, “The question is whether Naseeruddin Shah is ACP Rathod or Gulam Hassan of ‘Sarfarosh’. He talks about urban naxalism, supporting the tukde-tukde gang, anti-national movements. The question to you, sir, with utmost respect, is do you believe in pro-India sloganeering or anti-India.”
Shah played the antagonist, covert operator Gulfam Hassan, in the Aamir Khan-starrer action drama “Sarfarosh”. Khan played the role of the protagonist, ACP Ajay Singh Rathod, in the 1999 superhit.
In his video, Shah said, “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.”
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? How far will you go?” he said.
The actor invoked some lines from literature in drawing a pattern of unrest across higher education campuses.
“First Jawaharlal Nehru University, then Satyajit Ray Film Institute, and now Jamia Millia. The atrocities that are being done on students will be remembered. Everything will be remembered,” he said, before reciting the verse, “Dekhna hai zor kitna baazu-e-qaatil mein hai”, from freedom fighter Bismil Azimabadi’s poem “Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamare dil mein hai.”
Shah has been posting frequent videos, voicing his support for students-related issues and has criticised the government for its handling of the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest over NEET exam irregularities in July.
Last week, the actor had also come out in support of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute students, who are on an indefinite sit-in over violent incidents on the campus.