Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Criticises Actor Naseeruddin Shah Over 'Dimagi Naxal' Video

Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has called actor Naseeruddin Shah a dangerous urban dimagi naxal, stating that his views are extremely harmful to Indian democracy. In a post on X on Wednesday, Mr. Rijiju said he used to respect the actor but learned of his real character very late. Mr. Shah had posted a video on Facebook on Tuesday wearing a dimagi naxal pin. He accused the BJP-led central government of trying to destroy the education system, break the courage of the country's youth, and put democracy at risk. The 76-year-old actor declared himself a dimagi naxal in the video and expressed support for Jamia Millia Islamia students who are protesting for the restoration of their students' union. He also questioned how far the government would go. The term dimagi naxal was first used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an Independence Day address to describe individuals within the system who allegedly pose a threat by manipulating policies. Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC also criticised Mr. Shah in comments to PTI Videos, questioning whether he believed in pro-India or anti-India sloganeering and referencing his role as Gulfam Hassan in the 1999 film Sarfarosh. Mr. Shah has posted frequent videos supporting student issues recently, including a protest over NEET exam irregularities in July and an indefinite sit-in by Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute students over campus violence last week.

Context

Public disagreements between prominent film personalities and government officials often spark wide political debates in India regarding freedom of expression and student activism. Jamia Millia Islamia is a central university located in New Delhi where student bodies and unions play a central role in campus representation.