Kiren Rijiju Criticizes Naseeruddin Shah Over Dimagi Naxal Video Remark
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has criticized veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah after the artist posted an online video supporting protesting university students.
The 76-year-old actor appeared in a recorded message wearing an emblem reading Dimagi Naxal and expressing solidarity with demonstrations in New Delhi.
The social media remarks followed ongoing agitation by students at Jamia Millia Islamia who are seeking the revival of their campus union elections.
Online Remarks And Political Exchange
In a message posted on social media platform X, Kiren Rijiju described Naseeruddin Shah as a 'dangerous urban Dimagi Naxal' in his online post.
The minister stated that he had previously respected the actor but asserted that Shah's political posture is detrimental to India's democracy.
Rijiju claimed he discovered the artist's real outlook late after previously regarding him as an ordinary performing artist.
The dispute began after Shah shared a video on Facebook backing students protesting at Jamia Millia Islamia.
Displaying the badge to the camera, the veteran actor stated in Hindi that he openly accepted being described as a Dimagi Naxal.
The phrase has appeared in political rhetoric, and its use in this dispute should be understood as a partisan characterization.
Campus Protests And Cultural Statements
In his recorded address, Naseeruddin Shah questioned the central government's approach toward university education and youth demonstrations.
The actor asked what more authorities would do to damage the courage of the nation's youth and disrupt public academic institutions.
The actor cited unrest across major academic centers, mentioning Jawaharlal Nehru University, the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, and Jamia Millia Islamia.
He asserted that state actions against university students will be remembered by the public in future years.
He recited lines from freedom fighter Bismil Azimabadi's poem Sarfaroshi ki tamanna while asserting that democratic dissent among students will endure.
Shah has remained vocal on student issues and had earlier criticized the government regarding its handling of youth demonstrations.
The immediate dispute concerns calls to restore Jamia Millia Islamia’s student union and the response of university administrators.
Shah’s published comments in the present case focused on student representation at Jamia Millia Islamia.
The student agitation at Jamia Millia Islamia commenced on October 12 with demands centered on reviving the university's student union.
A 2026 assessment highlighted that student representation bodies have remained inactive for extended periods at Banaras Hindu University, were altered or ended at places like TISS Mumbai, and experience persistent bureaucratic disputes at JNU, according to Outlook India.
University leadership released a directive specifying that representation polls would take place half a month following the formal endorsement of the student body framework, according to Outlook India.
Elections for the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union have remained suspended since 2006 following past occurrences of campus violence.
In 2017, a group of students petitioned the Jamia Millia Islamia administration not to reinstate the students' union, arguing that campus politics risked renewed violence and disruption, according to Outlook India.
University authorities previously offered to organize elections, but student leaders rejected the communication because it omitted a binding procedural timetable.