Naseeruddin Shah Condemns Mumbai University's Last-Minute Disinvitation from Student Event
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has launched a scathing public critique against Mumbai University after being abruptly uninvited from a student event just hours before it was scheduled to take place. The acclaimed performer described the decision as both insulting and fundamentally dishonest, sparking a broader conversation about academic freedom and political expression in contemporary India.
Sudden Cancellation and Alleged Misrepresentation
In a detailed article published in the Indian Express titled "When a university speaks power to truth," Shah revealed how he was unexpectedly dropped from the Jashn-e-Urdu programme organized by the university's Urdu department on February 1. According to his account, he received notification late on January 31 that his presence was no longer required for the event.
The situation escalated further when the university allegedly informed attendees that Shah had declined to participate voluntarily. "The university, after informing me that I needn't attend... decided to rub a little salt in by announcing that I had refused to be there," Shah wrote, vehemently rejecting this characterization of events.
Educational Engagement and Personal Significance
The actor emphasized the special meaning this particular event held for him, noting his four-decade-long career of engaging with students across educational institutions. Shah described teaching and interacting with young learners as among the "most joyous and educational experiences" of his professional life.
"I have gained more from such interactions than from formal teachers of acting," he reflected, underscoring the value he places on these educational exchanges and the disappointment he felt at being excluded from this opportunity.
Political Context and Broader Concerns
Shah suggested that the true motivation behind his disinvitation stemmed from his public criticism of the current political climate. Responding to comments reportedly made by a senior university official, he challenged accusations that he "openly makes statements against the country," demanding evidence of any remark where he had disparaged India.
"Sure, I have never praised the self-proclaimed 'Vishwaguru'," Shah acknowledged, adding that he has been openly critical of the Prime Minister's conduct and various actions taken by the ruling establishment.
In his article, the actor expressed deepening concern about what he perceives as shrinking freedoms, the treatment of student activists, and the broader social atmosphere. He invoked George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984 to illustrate his unease, writing that "not singing the praise of the 'great leader' is considered sedition" in the current climate.
"This is not the country I grew up in and was taught to love. The 'thought police' and 'doublespeak' have been deployed in full force, as has surveillance," Shah lamented, painting a picture of an India transformed from the nation of his youth.
Broader Industry Context and Parallel Incidents
This controversy emerges against a backdrop of similar tensions within India's cultural sphere. Recently, celebrated composer AR Rahman triggered widespread debate during an interview with the BBC Asian Network, where he discussed his reduced presence in Bollywood productions.
Rahman attributed this shift to a transfer of power toward corporate, non-creative entities and hinted at "communal" undercurrents within the industry. The reaction was immediate and polarized:
- Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar suggested producers might simply be "scared to approach" a legend of Rahman's stature
- Filmmaker Subhash Ghai defended his collaborator, claiming the remarks were "unnecessarily exaggerated"
Following boycott calls, Rahman eventually released an Instagram clarification, reaffirming India as his "inspiration" and stating that his "intentions" had been "misunderstood."
"I have never wished to cause pain, and I hope my sincerity is felt. I feel blessed to be Indian, which enables me to create a space that always allows freedom of expression and celebrates multicultural voices," the composer asserted, attempting to navigate the complex terrain of artistic expression in contemporary India.
These parallel incidents highlight the ongoing tensions between artistic freedom, political expression, and institutional pressures within India's cultural and educational landscapes, with Shah's experience at Mumbai University representing a particularly stark example of these dynamics at play.
