Bollywood / NDA slams Naseeruddin Shah over 'Dimagi Naxal' remark, accuses actor of promoting anarchy

New Delhi, Oct 29: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Thursday criticised actor Naseeruddin Shah over his ‘Dimagi Naxal’ remark, accusing him of promoting ideas that could foment anarchy in the country.

The criticism followed Shah’s video message in which he addressed the camera while displaying a ‘Dimagi Naxal’ badge and declaring himself a “proud Dimagi Naxal”. The term was coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day address in August.

Speaking to IANS, BJP National Spokesperson RP Singh said: “The kind of language Naseeruddin Shah has used recently, along with his past statements that have been anti-national and supportive of Pakistan, and the way he has spoken about West Bengal this time, shows how his thinking is encouraging ideas that seek to create anarchy in the country.”

While acknowledging Shah's craft, BJP MLA Ram Kadam said: "We fully respect his art. However, we cannot forget how he praised Pakistan during the release of a book in 2015. How can we forget that Naseeruddin Shah supports Mughal invaders who came to this country, persecuted people, and destroyed temples? You live in India, earn your livelihood and respect here, yet praise Pakistan."

"He is not 'Dimagi Naxal', rather, he is 'Dimagi Pakistani'," Kadam remarked while speaking to IANS.

Union Minister and RPI-A chief Ramdas Athawale also acknowledged that Naseeruddin Shah is a good film actor who possesses a social conscience, while adding: "He should not have a Naxalite mindset. He has the right to suggest measures to the government for the welfare of society, but he has no right to criticise the BJP."

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"Naxalism has been eliminated from the country, so making such remarks is not right," he told reporters.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly criticised veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, describing him as “extremely harmful to India’s democracy”.

Responding to Rijiju’s remarks, Congress MP Jebi Mather said the BJP frequently uses labels such as “Tukde-Tukde” and “Urban Naxal” against those whose views it disagrees with. “That is their way of functioning. So, nothing is surprising about this,” she said.

Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy also defended Shah, saying the actor had merely expressed his opinion. “This (expressing views) is not liked by the BJP; that is why Kiren Rijiju criticised it,” Roy said.

(IANS)