Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has sparked fresh political debate after declaring himself a “Dimagi Naxal” in a Facebook video criticising the government. His remarks come amid student protests at Kolkata’s SRFTI and wider demonstrations over electoral roll revisions.
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has sparked fresh political debate after describing himself as a “Dimagi Naxal” in a video shared on Facebook, delivering a sharp criticism of the government and the labels often used against political dissenters. His remarks come amid ongoing student protests at Kolkata’s Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) and wider demonstrations over electoral roll revisions.
In the video shared on Wednesday, Shah displayed a badge bearing the words “Dimagi Naxal” and said he wore the label with pride. He also referred to terms such as “anti-national” and “tukde-tukde gang”, which have frequently featured in political debates surrounding protests and criticism of the government.
Shah questioned the use of such labels against people who disagree with those in power and argued that the government itself was responsible for dividing the country. His comments have added to the ongoing political discussion over freedom of expression, dissent and the treatment of protesters in India.
The expression “Dimagi Naxal” gained prominence in political discourse following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address in August, according to the account accompanying Shah’s video. The actor’s latest remarks also follow his earlier criticism of the handling of student protests at SRFTI in Kolkata.
The controversy at the film institute intensified after clashes on September 27, 2026, between students and members of the RSS-linked Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat during a campus event. Subsequent demonstrations and allegations of attacks further escalated tensions on the campus.
Students demanded the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera, accusing the institute’s administration of failing to ensure their safety. The administration subsequently suspended six students over alleged misconduct, a decision challenged by the students’ union.
Shah, along with filmmakers Payal Kapadia and Anand Patwardhan, expressed support for the protesting students. The veteran actor accused the BJP of political retaliation against people expressing dissent and urged citizens to stand with the students.
The BJP criticised Shah’s remarks, while the institute’s administration alleged that outside forces had politicised the agitation. The dispute has brought renewed attention to questions about campus governance, student safety and the right to protest.
Meanwhile, student-led demonstrations have also emerged around electoral issues. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), described in the supplied account as an online youth-led political group, has intensified its agitation demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The movement is opposing the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that the exercise has resulted in the exclusion of millions of eligible voters. The Election Commission and the BJP have denied allegations of manipulation.
The CJP has also called for electoral reforms and an independent inquiry into alleged irregularities in the voter-list revision process. These demands have added to the broader debate over electoral transparency, democratic participation and public confidence in institutions.
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According to the supplied report, the Supreme Court, during a special hearing on Sunday, observed that there would be no detention of protesters and that public transport services would return to normal. The precise context and scope of those observations were not independently established in the information provided.
Shah’s latest intervention has once again placed the veteran actor at the centre of a political discussion extending beyond the film industry. His comments have highlighted the continuing tensions between public criticism, political responses and student-led movements, while the developments at SRFTI and protests over electoral roll revisions remain subjects of wider public debate.
