Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Oct 25: Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has extended support to students of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), who are staging an indefinite sit-in over campus violence, while accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of targeting those who oppose its beliefs and policies.
In a video posted on Instagram on Saturday, Shah alleged that the students had become the latest targets of what he described as the BJP’s vendetta following its victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections earlier this year.
“The BJP, the bloody jhooti party, after its manipulative victory in the Bengal elections now seems all out for revenge on anyone who does not subscribe to their beliefs and their policies,” Shah said.
He claimed that the aspiring filmmakers were facing action for demanding accountability from the institute’s administration. According to Shah, students had been issued show-cause notices, placed under surveillance, threatened and asked to vacate their hostels.
Criticising the BJP, the 76-year-old actor alleged that the party was not content with supporting propaganda in its favour and was attempting to either influence or intimidate future filmmakers.
“I can promise you that is not going to happen,” he said, adding that young filmmakers would eventually tell the truth about themselves, the country and the situation it was facing.
Shah urged citizens who believed in democratic values to support the demands of the protesting SRFTI students.
The students have been staging an indefinite sit-in outside the office of Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera since October 12, demanding his resignation over incidents of campus violence.
A clash broke out at the Kolkata-based institute on September 27 between students and members of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP), a right-wing consumer group that had rented the institute’s main auditorium for a programme. Both sides accused each other of initiating the violence.
In an order issued on October 16, SRFTI suspended regular academic activities across its film, electronic and digital media faculties until November 13. The institute also directed students to vacate the premises within 24 hours.
Although the institute was on Puja vacation until October 21, the protesting students continued their sit-in, citing concerns over campus safety and demanding action against those responsible for the violence.
Meanwhile, Shah was last seen in Imtiaz Ali’s romantic drama Main Vaapas Aaunga (2026), featuring Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina and Sharvari. He also portrayed late industrialist JRD Tata in the 2026 series Made in India: A Titan Story.