Actor Naseeruddin Shah’s remarks are jeopardising the collective future of students at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata following violent incidents on the campus in the guise of protests, sources have said days after the physical assault on the Vice Chancellor Santosh Ajmera.
In a video clip posted on social media, actor Shah expressed solidarity with the students. Responding to Shah, BJP MP and spokesperson Rahul Sinha called for a full investigation into the actor’s comments and alleged that his remarks could be linked to an international conspiracy. A report by SRFTI that operates under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the administration’s recent regulatory measures were taken to protect the safety, dignity and academic future of its more than 500 students.
“After its… victory in the Bengal elections, the BJP seems to be all out for revenge against anyone who does not subscribe to its beliefs and policies,” he alleged, and described the students as “victims” of the party’s “vendetta. He alleged the BJP is “either hoping to brainwash or frighten future filmmakers of the country”. “I can promise you that is not going to happen,” the actor added. Questioning his motives, Sinha said Shah had emerged from a long period of inactivity to join a broader conspiracy involving foreign forces and Opposition parties – including the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and the CPI(M) – to undermine democracy. Sources said the actor is blatantly lying and further inflaming passions to harm students and mess up their future; they said he is not a stakeholder and has nothing to lose.
