Rijiju Slams Naseeruddin Shah’s “Dimagi Naxal” Video

New Delhi: Union minister Kiren Rijiju has called actor Naseeruddin Shah a “dangerous urban dimagi naxal” whose views are “extremely harmful” to Indian democracy. The remark followed a video in which Shah backed protesting students at Jamia Millia Islamia and declared himself a “dimagi naxal”.

What Shah said

In a video posted on Facebook on Tuesday, a visibly angry Shah expressed solidarity with Jamia students who have been demanding the restoration of the university’s students’ union, which hasn’t held elections since 2006. Speaking in Hindi, he said he proudly declares himself a “dimagi naxal” and showed a pin with those words to the camera. He accused the BJP-led Centre of trying to destroy the education system and break the courage of the country’s youth, and asked the government how far it would go and how much more it would do. He also questioned the treatment of students at Jawaharlal Nehru University and the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata, and accused the government of acting like a “tukde-tukde gang”. Last week Shah had backed students at the film institute, who are on an indefinite sit-in over violent incidents on campus.

Rijiju’s response

On Wednesday, Rijiju, the Union minister for parliamentary affairs and minority affairs, responded on X. He said he used to respect and like Shah and had thought he was “just an ordinary actor”, but had learned of his “real character” very late and never knew he was a “dangerous urban dimagi naxal”. Rijiju added, in Hindi, that Shah’s views are extremely harmful to India’s democracy.

The labels in dispute

“Urban naxal” is a label that government supporters apply to critics they accuse of sympathising with extremist ideology. Critics of the government say it is used to stigmatise legitimate dissent. By calling himself a “dimagi naxal”, Shah appears to be embracing the tag rather than rejecting it.

The Jamia protest he was backing

Students began an indefinite hunger strike on October 12, demanding restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU), a schedule for elections and the removal of the chief proctor. The university moved classes online on October 24 after a clash between protesters and security guards. On October 26, it ordered union elections within 15 days of the union constitution’s approval. It also revoked suspensions and show-cause notices issued during the protest and set up a committee to examine the conduct of security staff. The students rejected the offer as insufficient and kept up the strike, demanding a firm date. The university issued a “final warning” to two hunger strikers, extended online classes until November 8, and said mid-term exams would be held online. The students say nobody should be made to apologise for peaceful protest.

What to watch

Shah hasn’t responded to Rijiju so far. The questions now are whether other political or film figures weigh in, and whether the Jamia stand-off ends once the constitution is approved and a poll date is fixed.