Veteran Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah has slammed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the escalating crackdown on student demonstrators in New Delhi, dismissing the official handling of the crisis as near “comical”.
Massive student demonstrations have erupted across India demanding education reforms and the immediate resignation of Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan. The widespread outrage intensified after 12 student suicides followed a controversial NEET exam leak, compounding prevailing public anger.
During a media interaction with senior journalist Karan Thapar, the celebrated actor sharply criticised the government’s approach to the mounting crisis.
The interviewer opened the discussion by asking Shah for his views on how the protests were handled, calling them one of the most serious challenges to Modi’s 12-year tenure.
Shah didn’t hold back. “When has he spoken honestly about anything? Has he accepted responsibility for any of his blunders? Has he ever accepted the fact that he was perhaps wrong? No,” he firmly stated.
Shah highlighted that the intense situation reflected a deeply rooted culture of prime minister Modi’s blind following among a certain populace. Elaborating on the manufactured aura surrounding the BJP leader, he added: “He has been portrayed as divine… It has been amazing to see the magic he has seemingly performed.”
Expanding on the premier’s reluctance to face unscripted questions and accountability, Shah remarked on the avoidance of open press interactions:
“What is happening to us? Is there no one who is ever going to question this man? Lie upon lie upon lie upon lie. He never speaks to the press because he’s scared.”
The unrest escalated sharply in New Delhi after prominent social activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly removed from Jantar Mantar on the 21st day of his hunger strike, culminating in violent clashes on June 20 where police deployed brutal force against demonstrating students.
Commenting further on the heavy-handed response, the actor stated: “An army of goons has been unleashed on our future while the prime minister attempts to address the youth, yet he has not bothered to even comment about them or ask them what their issue is. He says the youth must face challenges, but what else are the youth doing? This prime minister’s hypocrisy has become near comical.”
