Union Minister Kiren Rijiju blasted veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah on Wednesday after the film legend released a Facebook video endorsing the protests that have rattled Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi for three weeks.
In the post, Shah called himself a "dimagi naxal" and accused the Modi government of eroding democratic values and crushing the spirit of youth.
The protests, now in their 17th day, stem from students’ demand that the university restore its student union and hold elections, a process stalled since 2006.
Following the controversy, Jamia announced that online classes will continue until November 24, but physical instruction will not resume until January 13, while exam schedules have been shifted.
Ananya Sharma, a third‑year student, said the delay has thrown her final‑semester projects into disarray, reflecting the broader impact on the student body.