Politics · India · 2 hrs ago
Naseeruddin Shah backs Jamia students; minister calls him dangerous
Actor Naseeruddin Shah backed protesting students at Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi, calling himself a “dimagi Naxal” in a social media video.
Students have been protesting to restore the university’s student union, whose elections have not been held since 2006.
The students want a firm date for elections and a timeline for approving the union’s constitution.
The university has agreed to resume elections, but students say it has not set a clear timetable, so the protest continues.
Shah accused the central government of trying to weaken young people, education and democracy.
Minister Kiren Rijiju responded by calling Shah a dangerous “urban Dimagi Naxal” in a post on X. The dispute centres on student representation and the unresolved election timetable.
Actor Naseeruddin Shah shared a video supporting Jamia Millia Islamia students protesting for the restoration of their student union.
Shah criticised the central government and called himself a “Dimagi Naxal,” a label he said had been used for critics of the administration.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju responded on X, calling Shah a “dangerous urban Dimagi Naxal.”
The students are seeking a definite date for union elections and a timeline for approval of the union’s constitution.
Jamia’s administration agreed to resume elections, but students said it had not provided a definite timeline.
- Who
- Actor Naseeruddin Shah and Union minister Kiren Rijiju.
- What
- Shah backed protesting Jamia students and criticised the government; Rijiju responded by calling him dangerous.
- When
- Shah shared the video on Wednesday; Rijiju responded on Thursday.
- Where
- Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi; Shah shared the video on social media.
- Why
- Students are protesting for the restoration of their union, including a definite election date and a timeline for approval of its constitution.
Naseeruddin Shah
Kiren Rijiju
Shah’s position
Naseeruddin Shah
He backed the students and accused the government of trying to undermine young people, education and democracy.
Kiren Rijiju
Rijiju called Shah a dangerous urban “Dimagi Naxal” and said he was harmful to Indian democracy.
Jamia’s administration agreed to resume student union elections as protests entered their 15th day, but students said it had not set a definite timeline.
Shah shared a video supporting the students and criticising the central government.
Rijiju responded to Shah’s “Dimagi Naxal” remarks on X.
- Student union polls
- Not held since 2006
- Protest duration
- Entered its 15th day on Monday
- Shah’s age
- 76
- Police deployment
- Around 700 local police and paramilitary personnel were deployed
- Student demand
- A definite election date and a timeline for approval of the union constitution
3 sources
What people are saying
I proudly declare that I am Dimagi Naxal.
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?
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!