'Dangerous Urban Naxal': Kiren Rijiju Slams Naseeruddin Shah
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and producer Ashoke Pandit lash out at Naseeruddin Shah after the actor declared himself a 'Dimagi Naxal'.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has launched a scathing attack on veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, accusing him of possessing a "dimagi Naxal" (mental Naxal) mindset. The controversy erupted after the actor publicly aligned himself with a provocative label while supporting student protests in the national capital.
The 'Dimagi Naxal' Declaration
The spark for this political firestorm was a video shared by Naseeruddin Shah on Tuesday. In the clip, the actor is seen wearing a badge that reads 'Dimagi Naxal'. Shah used the platform to express his solidarity with students of Jamia Millia Islamia, who have been protesting to demand the restoration of their students' union.
In the video, the actor stated, "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." This is not an isolated incident, as Shah has recently used his social media presence to back various student movements, including protests at the SRFTI in Kolkata.
Rijiju's Reaction: From Respect to Repulsion
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed deep disappointment and shock over the actor's claims. Speaking to the media, Rijiju admitted that he had previously viewed Shah solely through the lens of his professional craft.
"I didn't even know that Naseeruddin was a person with this kind of 'dimagi Naxal' mindset. I just thought of him as an artist. He seemed like a decent, good artist... Turns out he's a mental Naxal himself," Rijiju remarked.
The Minister took the confrontation to social media as well, posting on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday. He wrote that he once respected and liked the actor, believing him to be an "ordinary actor," but now views him as a "dangerous urban Dimagi Naxal." Rijiju further added in Hindi that he discovered the actor's "real character" too late and described such a mindset as being "extremely harmful to the democracy of India."
Producer Ashoke Pandit Joins the Fray
The criticism wasn't limited to political circles. Film producer Ashoke Pandit also condemned the actor's remarks, though his critique focused more on Shah's psychological state and professional frustrations.
Allegations of Insecurity and Frustration
Pandit described Naseeruddin Shah as a "compulsive abuser," claiming that the actor has been consistently misbehaving over the past year. According to Pandit, Shah's public outbursts and facial expressions on camera are clear indicators of deep-seated frustration.
The producer suggested that Shah is suffering from an "inferiority complex" because the current trend of successful cinema in India does not align with his ideology. He specifically mentioned films like The Kashmir Files, The Kerala Story, and Dhurandhar as narratives that do not suit the actor's worldview.
Call for Psychiatric Help
Going a step further, Ashoke Pandit suggested that the actor seek professional medical assistance. "I would like to tell him that he should consult a psychiatrist because it's affecting his mental health. A normal person will not behave like this," Pandit told ANI, adding that he pities the actor for his current state of mind.