Naseeruddin Shah Faces Protests Over His Remarks On ‘Bulandshahr Violence’

Ajmer: Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah gave a literary event in Rajasthan’s Ajmer a miss on Friday following protests by right wing groups.

He was to head for the Literary Festival after attending a programme at his old school, St. Anselm’s Senior Secondary School, but hurriedly left Ajmer in the evening.

In an interview earlier this week, the actor had expressed concern over the prevailing situation in the country. In connection with the Bulandshahr violence in which a police inspector and a man were killed by a mob earlier this month, the 68-year-old actor remarked, “A cow’s life seems to be more important than a cop’s life.”

On December 3, police inspector Subodh Kumar Singh was killed in the mob frenzy over cow slaughter allegations in Bulandshahr.

The actor said that he feared for his children and their future. “Tomorrow, what if a mob surrounds them and asks them about their religion, whether they are Hindu or Muslim? I feel angry when I think about such a situation and every right thinking person should be angry. But don’t be afraid by such a scenario. This country is our home and no one can ask us to leave,” he had said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath drew flak for ordering strict action against those behind the cow carcasses found in a forest, which provoked the violence, in a meeting he had with senior officials just after the policeman’s murder.

“The event has been called off keeping in mind the security and safety of Naseeruddin Shah and the venue. Also honour the sentiments of the people of Ajmer,” a member of the Literature Society told NDTV.