Actor Calls Himself Dimagi Naxal, Minister Warns of Harm to Democracy

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah released a video in which he called himself a dimagi naxal and accused the government of trying to destroy the education system and break the courage of the country's youth. He named Jawaharlal Nehru University, the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, and Jamia Millia Islamia as places where students face oppression. He also described people around the government as a band of foolish and dishonest individuals.

Shah recited a line from Bismil Azimabadi's Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna, asking how much strength the killer's arm has. He warned that the treatment of protesting students will be remembered and said the spirit of the nation's youth will not be broken. He challenged the government, sections of the media, and the BJP's IT cell to do their worst.

“I say this with pride: I am a dimagi Naxal.”

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju responded on X, saying Shah is a dangerous urban dimagi naxal whose views are extremely harmful to Indian democracy. Rijiju said he once respected and liked Shah but only learned his real character very late.

Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC also questioned Shah's remarks, asking whether he believes in pro-India sloganeering or anti-India sloganeering. She compared him to characters from the film Sarfarosh. Shah, 76, has frequently posted videos supporting student issues and criticizing the government over NEET exam irregularities.

The term dimagi naxal was first used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address to describe people allegedly entrenched in the system who threaten society by manipulating policies.