Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on 29 October 2026 launched a sharp rebuke against veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah after the actor publicly embraced the label 'Dimagi Naxal' — a term coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address in August — calling Shah 'extremely harmful to India's democracy.'

What Rijiju Said on X

Posting on X, Rijiju wrote: '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! I discovered his true character far too late. He is extremely harmful to India's democracy.' The minister's post drew immediate attention as a direct government-level response to the actor's remarks.

What Naseeruddin Shah Said

In a video shared online, Shah declared: 'I say with pride, I am a Dimagi Naxal. Apart from Dimagi Naxal, I don't know what other titles the chowkidar has given to people like me, anti-national, tukde-tukde gang and what not. If there is any tukde-tukde gang in this country, then it is this illegitimate government.' He further challenged the administration, asking: '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?' Shah also cited institutions he believes have come under pressure — Jawaharlal Nehru University, Satyajit Ray Film Institute, and Jamia Millia — warning that 'the atrocities that are being done on students will be remembered.'

The SRFTI Row — Background

Shah's remarks are rooted in an ongoing dispute at Kolkata's Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI). The crisis began on 27 September 2026, when clashes broke out between students and members of the RSS-linked Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat during a campus event. Students subsequently demanded the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera, accusing the administration of failing to protect them. The institute responded by suspending 6 students on misconduct grounds — a decision the students' union challenged. Notably, filmmakers Payal Kapadia and Anand Patwardhan joined Shah in backing the protesters, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised the actor's intervention. The administration alleged that outside forces had politicised the agitation.

Broader Context and What It Means

The exchange reflects a wider pattern of clashes between the government and cultural figures over the boundaries of dissent. The term 'Dimagi Naxal' was originally deployed by Prime Minister Modi to describe what he characterised as intellectual subversion — critics argue it has since become a political instrument to delegitimise opposition voices. Shah's decision to own the label inverts that framing, and his explicit targeting of higher-education institutions underscores growing tensions on campuses. The BJP's criticism of Shah, now elevated to a ministerial response, signals that the government views his remarks as politically consequential rather than merely celebrity commentary.

What Happens Next

The SRFTI situation remains unresolved, with the students' union contesting the suspensions. The broader row over academic autonomy and political interference on campuses is likely to intensify as the semester progresses. Rijiju's public rebuttal may draw further responses from the arts and academic community.