NEW DELHI: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has criticised Naseeruddin Shah’s remarks “dimagi naxal” mindset.
On Tuesday, Naseeruddin Shah shared a video in which he wore a badge inscribed with the words ‘Dimagi Naxal’ while extending his support to Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia students who have been protesting for the restoration of their students’ union.
While talking to the media, Rijiju said, “I didn’t even know that Naseeruddin was a person with this kind of ‘dimagi Naxal’ mindset. I just thought of him as an artist. He seemed like a decent, good artist. So I just viewed him as an artist. Turns out he’s a mental Naxal himself.”
Rijiju also slammed Naseeruddin’s remarks on his X handle, writing, “I thought Naseeruddin Shah was just an ordinary actor. I used to respect & like him.. I never knew that he was a dangerous urban Dimagi Naxal!”
I thought Naseeruddin Shah was just an ordinary actor. I used to respect & like him.. I never knew that he was a dangerous urban Dimagi Naxal !
मुझे उसके असली चरित्र के बारे में बहुत देर से पता चला।। भारत के लोकतंत्र के लिए अत्यंत हानिकारक है। https://t.co/McSDNBJjPt
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) October 28, 2026
Earlier, Producer Ashoke Pandit also condemned Naseeruddin Shah’s “dimagi naxal” remark, attributing it to the actor’s alleged frustration and insecurity. He also suggested that Shah consult a psychiatrist, citing concerns about his mental health.
Ashoke Pandit called Naseeruddin Shah a “compulsive abuser” who repeatedly displays frustration through his language and public conduct, claiming that these outbursts are damaging the actor’s public image.
“I’m not shocked, nor I’m surprised with Naseeruddin Shah’s abusive language because, since last few months, in a year in fact, he’s been constantly misbehaving, has become a compulsive abuser. The kind of language which he uses, the way he distorts his face, he exposes his frustration. There are reasons behind it, I can understand, and I pity him,” said Ashoke Pandit.”
Mumbai, Maharashtra: Filmmaker and FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit, responding to actor Naseeruddin Shah’s statement, says, “I’m not surprised or shocked because, for the past year or so, Mr Naseeruddin Shah has become a constant abuser. He has lost all manners and etiquette. He behaves like a ruffian. I think the way he talks in front of the camera, speaks to people and addresses them is not just about the Prime Minister; his conduct has gone berserk. His behaviour has gone berserk. You know, even goons don’t behave like this, and he is supposed to be an educated person. I don’t know whether he is really educated or not, because his entire mannerisms and the language he uses sound like frustration. It sounds like a loss of mental balance. So, I think I’m very sure that this man needs medical help. He is not normal. The way he talks and the expressions on his face are full of anger…”
— IANS (@ians_india) October 29, 2026
“When I see him totally distorted, totally frustrated on camera, and he’s trying to vent out his frustration. The more he vents out his frustration, he’s getting exposed day by day, every day,” added Ashoke Pandit. The film producer alleges that Naseeruddin’s behaviour stems from ideological differences, suggesting the actor seek psychiatric help.
“Probably one of the reasons why he’s feeling insecure is that the films which are doing well in the in the in the country is not suiting him. Films like ‘Kashmir Files’, ‘Kerala Story’, ‘Dhurandhar’ — these narratives are not suiting them. They’re suffering from an inferiority complex. Hence, this is kind of behaviour with which he’s trying to come out. So I think, in the end, I would like to tell him that he should consult a psychiatrist because it’s affecting his mental health. A normal person will not behave like this,” said Ashoke Pandit.
The criticism of Naseeruddin’s remarks comes after the actor shared a video on Tuesday saying, “I proudly declare that I am Dimagi Naxal. 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.”
The veteran actor has frequently used his social media handles in recent months to back student protests, including the student protest at SRFTI in Kolkata last week. (ANI)
