Veteran Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah has criticised the police response to demonstrators participating in the “Chalo Sansad” march, condemning what he described as the excessive use of force against protesters.
In a video shared on Instagram, the 76-year-old actor drew a comparison between the conduct of police personnel and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, expressing anger over the treatment of young demonstrators.
“I would like to say two things to you all. The first thing is that if an ignorant person leads this country, then his heart will want the whole country to become as ignorant, incomprehensible, and merciless as he is,” Shah said.
He went on to compare masked police personnel carrying batons to American ICE officers.
“My heart is full, and my blood boils with anger seeing how these children are being treated with cruelty by those goons, who remind me of American ICE agents, with masks on their faces and sticks in their hands,” he said.
Shah also voiced support for the protesters, urging them not to lose hope and to continue pursuing their cause.
“I want to tell all these children not to lose hope. Many people sympathize with you. Many people are with you. Keep fighting,” he said.
Calling on young people to continue demonstrating for what he described as the country’s future, Shah concluded his message with a warning to the authorities.
“And I just want to say this to the government of this country: we will remember everything,” he said.