Actor Naseeruddin Shah has backed protesting Jamia Millia Islamia students, accusing the central government of undermining education, democracy and young people’s courage.
According to Hindustan Times, Shah shared a video on Wednesday wearing a pin bearing the label ‘Dimagi Naxal’, a term Prime Minister Narendra Modi used for government critics earlier this year.
The term ‘Dimagi Naxal’, which translates roughly as ‘intellectual Naxal’, is used as a political label for people accused of supporting radical left-wing ideology or challenging the establishment.
“I proudly declare that I am an intellectual Naxal,” Shah said, dismissing labels such as “anti-national” and “gang that wants to divide the country” Naseeruddin said.
He challenged the government over its response to student protests, asking how far it would go to weaken young people and the education system.
The 76-year-old previously backed students at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, saying, “The atrocities being committed against students will be remembered. Everything will be remembered.” He also recited a line from Bismil Azimabadi’s poem The Desire for Martyrdom.
Jamia students want a definite election date and a timeline for approving their union constitution.
After 15 days of protests, the administration agreed to resume elections, but students said the lack of a clear timeline left the dispute unresolved. Police deployed around 700 local and paramilitary personnel.
