Actor Naseeruddin Shah Supports Protesting Students at Kolkata Film Institute

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has released a video message backing the students protesting at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata, while heavily criticising the ruling political establishment. The 76-year-old performer accused the ruling party of seeking revenge against anyone who disagrees with their political platform.

Student Demands

The students are staging a sit-in protest on campus following incidents of alleged violence, demanding the immediate resignation of Vice Chancellor Santosh Ajmera. According to the actor, the student demonstrators have faced show cause notices, constant surveillance, threats, and orders to vacate their campus hostels after asking the administration for accountability. He stated that the political leadership wants to frighten and brainwash upcoming filmmakers, adding that young artists will eventually tell the truth about the country.

Prior Support

Naseeruddin Shah is not the first prominent film personality to support the campus demonstration. Filmmaker Payal Kapadia previously shared a video expressing shock over the alleged violence and standing in solidarity with the student body. Meanwhile, the institute administration filed a formal complaint regarding outside individuals gathering near the main gate on October four and disrupting campus security. Students claim that members of the RSS orchestrated the violence.

Administration Stance

In contrast, Vice Chancellor Santosh Ajmera described the events of September twenty-seven as unfortunate, noting that student safety and academic welfare remain top priorities for the institution. The administration issued a notice on October fifteen stating that a student had manhandled the Vice Chancellor while others surrounded and abused him. The institute maintains that it is cooperating with authorities and taking steps to improve campus security.

Context

The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute is a premier national film school funded by the central government, training young people in various aspects of cinematic arts. Protests at public educational institutions in India often center around clashes between student unions and administrative authorities regarding campus governance and political influences.