Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut has hit out at veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah over his recent comments on the ongoing student protests in Jharkhand, calling him a “fox” and questioning his silence on the demonstrations.
According to NDTV, Ranaut’s remarks came after actor and singer Piyush Mishra criticised Shah for questioning the silence of prominent Bollywood personalities over the protests.
Sharing a report featuring Mishra’s comments on Instagram, Ranaut wrote that she was proud to “guard and fight” for the country whose “bread” she eats.
“The truth is, everyone is someone’s dog, but I am proud that I guard and fight for the home (country) whose bread I eat. Nasir Saab eats the bread of this country, but fights for the neighbouring country,” she wrote.
Ranaut then said being called a dog could be considered a compliment because loyalty and affection are rare qualities.
“I rather be a dog than a lomdi (fox) like Nasiruddin,” the BJP MP added.
The controversy follows Shah’s comments about the silence of several A-list celebrities during student protests.
Referring to the protests, Shah had said, “They’ll do it when their conscience tells them to.
There’s a saying: a dog with a bone in its mouth can’t bark. As soon as the bone drops out of their mouth, or it breaks their teeth, then they will bark.”
Mishra subsequently responded while speaking alongside protesting students in Jharkhand, questioning who the “dogs” with “bones in their mouths” were at present.
“There is something weighing heavily on my mind. During the CJP protests, Naseer Sahab remarked that the film industry wasn’t speaking up during that agitation. He said, ‘Those who have bones in their mouths cannot speak.’ Please forgive me, Naseer Sahab, I say this with the utmost respect, but I would like to ask: who are the ‘dogs’ with bones in their mouths right now?” Mishra said.
Ranaut has also been vocal about the Gen Z-led protests, particularly criticising videos from the demonstrations in which some protesters allegedly used abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The protests in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) have entered their third week.
Protesters are demanding the cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination and an independent investigation, either by the Central Bureau of Investigation or a panel of retired High Court judges.
Several aspirants have also gone on hunger strikes. Among them is Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has continued his protest despite being hospitalised.
Multiple rounds of talks between the protesters and the Jharkhand government have failed to resolve the deadlock so far.
The state government has assured students that their concerns will be examined, while Chief Minister Hemant Soren has stressed the importance of dialogue and transparency.
