Naseeruddin Shah condemns CJP’s protests, compares goons to ICE agents
Naseeruddin Shah, reacting to the violence during CJP’s Chalo Sansad march, condemned the treatment of protesters and compared the attackers to US ICE agents. The actor also urged the youth to remain hopeful and continue their fight.
Actor Naseeruddin Shah has raised his voice against the action taken during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) Chalo Sansad march. He condemned the violence against protesters and compared those involved to American ICE agents. In a video shared on Instagram, the veteran actor expressed his anger over the treatment meted out to the young protesters and said his hope for the youth of the country has become stronger.
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Addressing the situation, Shah said, “I would like to say two things to all of you. The first thing is that if an ignorant person leads this country, his heart would want the entire country to become as ignorant, incomprehensible and ruthless as him.”
Reflecting on his journey as a teacher and actor, the 76-year-old actor said that despite completing two separate acting courses at the National School of Drama (NSD) and the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), everything he learned about acting came from the students he tried to teach. He said that he has immense sympathy for him.
The actor said, “I give them thousands and thousands of blessings with every breath and salute them on every Teacher’s Day. Right now, my heart is full and I am opening it with anger, seeing how these children are being treated brutally by those goons who remind me of American ICE agents with masks on their faces and sticks in their hands.”
Shah urged people to think about the future and the struggles of the young protesters. He further said, “Sometimes think about your children and also think that one day you too will meet the same fate. I want to tell all those children not to lose hope. Many people sympathize with you. Many people are with you. Keep fighting.”
The actor said that he has always placed his hope in the youth of the country and that hope has now become even stronger. He encouraged them to continue their struggle, assuring them of widespread support, and also asked the government to remember everything.
“And I just want to say to the government of this country, I want you to remember everything,” he concluded.
The actor’s statement comes amid heightened tension at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where protests intensified after activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from the protest site in the early hours of July 18. Delhi Police shifted Wangchuk to hospital after he completed his 21-day indefinite hunger strike, citing his deteriorating health, medical advice and non-compliance with the Delhi High Court order.
Wangchuk has been protesting against irregularities in competitive exams and has demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The issue gained further attention following concerns over exam paper leaks, including the NEET paper leak controversy, which triggered a nationwide debate on the education system.
On 20 July, tension escalated at Jantar Mantar after Delhi Police lathicharged protesters, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement personnel.
Wangchuk has since continued his protests and vowed to remain on hunger strike over concerns related to examination irregularities and reforms in the education system.