As protests over alleged exam irregularities continue to intensify, Naseeruddin Shah has joined the growing list of public figures criticising the crackdown on student demonstrators.
Image Source: Instagram
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has strongly criticised the police action during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march, expressing support for the young protesters and condemning the alleged use of force against them. In a video shared on Instagram, the 76-year-old actor said the treatment of the demonstrators had deeply upset him and insisted that his faith in India’s youth had only become stronger.
His remarks come at a time when protests over alleged examination irregularities have intensified in Delhi, drawing widespread political and public attention.
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In his video message, Shah criticised the country’s leadership and linked the alleged violence against protesters to a wider problem of intolerance.
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“I would like to say two things to you all. The first thing is that if an ignorant person leads this country, then his heart will want the whole country to become as ignorant, incomprehensible, and merciless as he is,” he said.
The actor did not hold back while describing the scenes from the protest site, saying the way young demonstrators were treated had filled him with anger.
Shah also spoke about his long association with acting schools, recalling his years at the National School of Drama (NSD) and the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). Although he completed acting courses at both institutions, he said some of his biggest lessons came from the students he later taught.
According to Shah, teaching helped shape him as an actor, and he continues to hold deep respect and affection for his students. He said he remembers them with gratitude and offers them his blessings every day, especially on Teacher’s Day.
Expressing his anger over the reported crackdown, Shah said the people carrying out the action reminded him of immigration enforcement officers in the United States.
He said it was painful to watch young protesters being treated with cruelty by “goons” wearing masks and carrying sticks, adding that they reminded him of American ICE agents.
The comparison was one of the strongest parts of his statement, reflecting his criticism of the handling of the demonstrations.
Shah urged the protesters not to lose hope despite the difficult situation. He encouraged them to continue their struggle, saying they were not alone and had the support of many people across the country.
He also appealed to the public to think about the future of their own children and warned that similar situations could affect anyone someday.
The actor said he has always believed that the country’s future lies with its youth, adding that recent events have strengthened that belief even further. He assured the students that many people stand with them and support their movement.
Before ending his message, Shah addressed the government directly.
He said he wanted the government to “remember everything,” without elaborating further, ending his statement with a brief but pointed remark.
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