Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has said Naseeruddin Shah is a “dangerous urban dimagi naxal” whose views are “extremely harmful” to Indian democracy, after the actor posted a video accusing the Centre of trying to destroy the education system.
In a post on X on Wednesday (October 28, 2026), the Minister for minority affairs said he used to respect Mr.
Shah, but came to know of his “real character” very late.
The term ‘dimagi naxal’ was first used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address. He talks about urban naxalism, supporting the tukde-tukde gang, anti-national movements. The question to you, sir, with utmost respect, is do you believe in pro-India sloganeering or anti-India. Mr. 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. “… I want to ask this government a question… 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?
Shah, 76, has been posting frequent videos, voicing his support for students-related issues and has criticised the government for its handling of the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest over NEET exam irregularities in July. In his video on Tuesday (October 27, 2026), he said, “I proudly declare that I am ‘dimagi naxal’.
He accused the BJP-led central government of trying to destroy the education system and break the “courage of the country’s youth”. Shah was also wearing a “dimagi naxal” pin that he showed to the camera. He described “dimagi naxals” as those who have allegedly entrenched themselves in the system and continue to pose a threat to society by manipulating policies. She said, “The question is whether Naseeruddin Shah is ACP Rathod or Gulam Hassan of ‘Sarfarosh’. How far will you go?” he said in Hindi. Earlier reporting noted: “I used to respect and like Naseeruddin Shah, thinking he was just an ordinary actor,” Union minister Kiren Rijiju said “I used to respect and like Naseeruddin Shah, thinking he was just an ordinary actor,” Union minister Kiren Rijiju said Earlier reporting noted: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has launched a strong attack on actor Naseeruddin Shah, calling him a “dangerous urban Naxal” and a “subversive intellectual” after the 76-year-old actor released a video backing protesting university students. Earlier reporting noted: Rijiju said he had misjudged the actor’s leanings for years and called his conduct a threat to the nation’s democratic fabric.
