Jamia protest row: Naseeruddin Shah owns ‘Proud Dimagi Naxal’ tag, Kiren Rijiju hits out at actor over his remark

New Delhi: Actor Naseeruddin Shah has extended his support to students protesting at Jamia Millia Islamia over the delay in student union elections. In a video shared on social media on Wednesday, the veteran actor criticised the central government and accused it of trying to weaken the education system and suppress the voices of young people.

Shah, who recently backed students at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), appeared in the video wearing a ‘Dimagi Naxal’ pin. The phrase was used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year to refer to critics of the government.

In the video posted on Facebook, the actor said he proudly identified with the label and questioned what other names had been given to people who speak against the government.

“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,” Shah said in Hindi.

He also questioned the government’s response to student protests and expressed concern about the future of young people and the country’s education system.

“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.

Naseeruddin Shah recalls protests at JNU, SRFTI

The actor has increasingly spoken out on student-related issues through videos and public statements. Referring to protests at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), SRFTI and Jamia Millia Islamia, Shah said the treatment of protesting students would not be forgotten.

“First Jawaharlal Nehru University, then Satyajit Ray Film Institute, and now Jamia Millia. The atrocities that are being done on students will be remembered. Sab yaad rakha jaayega (Everything will be remembered),” he said.

Shah also recited the line “Dekhna hai zor kitna baazu-e-qaatil mein hai” from Bismil Azimabadi’s well-known poem Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna. The verse has long been associated with resistance and protest.

The actor had previously criticised the government’s handling of student-related issues, including protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. His latest video comes amid the ongoing stand-off between Jamia students and the university administration over the restoration of student union elections.

Why are Jamia Millia Islamia students protesting?

Students at Jamia Millia Islamia have been demanding a definite date for student union elections, which have not been held since 2006. They have also called on the administration to provide a clear timeline for approving the student union’s constitution.

The protests entered their 15th day on Monday. During this period, the university administration agreed to one of the students’ key demands, announcing that student union elections would resume after a gap of two decades.

However, the announcement has not brought the agitation to an end. Students have maintained that the administration has yet to provide a firm schedule for the polls, leaving a key point of contention unresolved.

According to police, around 700 personnel from the local police and paramilitary forces were deployed in the area amid the protests.

Shah’s video has brought renewed attention to the students’ demands, as the dispute over the election schedule continues.

Kiren Rijiju calls Naseeruddin Shah ‘Dangerous Urban Dimagi Naxal’

Naseeruddin Shah’s remarks have drawn a sharp response from Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who criticised the actor for his comments on the Centre’s handling of student protests and the education system. In a post on X on Wednesday, the Minority Affairs Minister described Shah as a “dangerous urban Dimagi Naxal” and called his views “extremely harmful to India’s democracy”.

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 !

मुझे उसके असली चरित्र के बारे में बहुत देर से पता चला।। भारत के लोकतंत्र के लिए अत्यंत हानिकारक है। https://t.co/McSDNBJjPt

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) October 28, 2026

Rijiju said he had respected Shah as an actor but claimed he had only recently come to know what he called the veteran performer’s “real character”. His remarks came after Shah shared a video backing Jamia Millia Islamia students demanding the restoration of their student union.

In the video, Shah wore a pin reading “Dimagi Naxal” and embraced the label while questioning the government’s response to student protests. He accused the BJP led administration of undermining the education system and weakening the confidence of young people.

The controversy also drew a response from Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC, who questioned Shah’s remarks during an interaction with PTI Videos on Thursday. Referring to the actor’s role in the 1999 film Sarfarosh, she asked whether he was ACP Rathod or Gulfam Hassan, the character played by Shah in the film. She also questioned his stance on urban Naxalism and asked whether his position reflected “pro India sloganeering or anti India”.

Shah has frequently spoken out on student-related issues. Before extending his support to Jamia students, he had backed students at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), where an indefinite sit in followed incidents of violence on campus. He had also raised concerns over the handling of protests related to alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

In his latest video, Shah said he proudly identified as a “Dimagi Naxal” and questioned the government’s approach towards young people, education and democracy.

Written By Uditi Sharma!