Mumbai: Kangana Ranaut has launched a sharp attack on veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah over his remarks on student protests, questioning his silence on the ongoing demonstrations in Jharkhand.
Calling him a “lomdi” (fox), the BJP MP also accused the actor of being more vocal about issues concerning a neighbouring country than those unfolding in India.
Naseeruddin had earlier spoken about the absence of A-list celebrities from the demonstrations witnessed across the country last month.
Addressing why prominent stars had chosen not to publicly voice their support, he said, “They’ll do it when their conscience tells them to. There’s a saying: a dog with a bone in its mouth can’t bark.”
Kangana has now questioned why Naseeruddin has not spoken about the student protests in Jharkhand. In an Instagram Story, she shared a post by actor Piyush Mishra, who also questioned the veteran actor’s silence on the demonstrations.
The caption of her post read, “Sach toh ye hai ki har koi kisi na kisi ka kutta hai lekin mujhe iss baat ka garv hai ki main jiss ghar (desh) ki roti khati hoon uski rakhwaali karti hoon, uske liye ladti hoon. Naseer saab khate toh iss desh ke hain lekin ladte padosi desh ke liye hai (The truth is that each and everyone of us is someone’s pet. I am proud that I protect and defend the same house from where I get my food. But Naseer saab eats from this land and defends the neighbours).”
She added, “PS In today’s time it is a compliment to be called a dog because loyalty and cuteness is so rare. I rather be a dog than a lomdi (wolf) like Naseeruddin.”
Meanwhile, BJP MPs on Tuesday targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the alleged police action against job aspirants protesting in Jharkhand.
They questioned his silence on the matter and accused him of being either “culpable” or “incapable” of taking action against the state government.
Kangana also sought answers over the alleged police action against the protesting students.
“First of all, look at what is happening in Jharkhand. The children are being subjected to atrocities. They have been beaten very brutally. Water cannons and tear gas are being used against them. We are demanding answers on this,” she said.
Several protesters and four policemen sustained injuries during a clash near the Jharkhand Assembly on Monday, according to officials.
Police used water cannons and tear gas and resorted to lathi-charge as job aspirants protested against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
The development comes days after Kangana appeared to soften her earlier stance on the Gen Z-led protests.
After previously calling them “generation gutter”, she told PTI, “Gen Z is the strength of our country and, in a way, a great asset to our nation. We are very happy that our young people are increasingly emerging as ambassadors of our culture and its identity.”
“We have also had the opportunity to listen to Mohan Bhagwat ji, whom we hold in the highest regard, and benefit from his wisdom and experience. It is a matter of great happiness that the country’s youth are connecting with us and embracing our cultural identity,” she added.