Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has extended his support to the ongoing students’ agitation at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata, accusing the BJP of attempting to intimidate and indoctrinate aspiring filmmakers to secure their political allegiance.

In a video message shared on social media on Saturday, Shah expressed solidarity with the protesting students, alleging that they were being subjected to administrative harassment, surveillance and threats for demanding accountability over incidents of alleged violence on campus.

His intervention comes as the SRFTI Students’ Union has announced a nationwide campus-based protest movement beginning October 27, seeking to unite students across educational institutions in defence of academic autonomy, freedom of expression and democratic rights.

In his video message, Shah alleged that the BJP was attempting to influence the ideological orientation of future filmmakers through intimidation and indoctrination.

“The BJP is attempting to secure the loyalty of the country’s future filmmakers—either through intimidation or by brainwashing them. The students of SRFTI are victims of this vendetta,” the actor said.

He alleged that students demanding accountability from the institute’s administration had instead been served show-cause notices and subjected to surveillance and threats.

Shah also criticised the directive asking students to vacate their hostels, describing the developments as part of a broader pattern of political retaliation against those opposing the BJP’s ideology.

Expressing confidence in the protesting students, he said these young filmmakers would eventually bring to light the realities of contemporary India through their creative work.
He urged conscientious citizens across the country to stand beside the students and defend their right to dissent.

Campus unrest following alleged attacks

The agitation at SRFTI began following a confrontation on September 27 during an event organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat on the institute’s Kolkata campus.

Students alleged that outsiders entered the premises and physically assaulted them. The organisation, however, disputed the allegations.

Tensions escalated further after students alleged another attack by outsiders on October 4, prompting questions about campus security and the administration’s response.

A section of the students subsequently launched a sit-in demonstration, demanding identification and legal action against those responsible for the alleged assaults, clarification from the authorities regarding accusations against students, and adequate security arrangements.

The protesters alleged that instead of addressing their grievances, the administration initiated disciplinary proceedings against students involved in the agitation.

They have also accused SRFTI Director Santosh Ajmera of acting against students’ interests and demanded his resignation.

Hostel closure order sparks fresh confrontation

The confrontation between students and the institute’s administration intensified after the authorities issued an order last Friday directing students to vacate the campus.

The administration extended the Durga Puja holidays until November 13 and ordered the closure of hostels and mess facilities.

However, a section of the protesting students refused to comply and continued their sit-in demonstration on campus.

The protesters have further alleged that the drinking water supply was disconnected amid the standoff, worsening conditions for those continuing the agitation.

Despite the restrictions, the students have maintained that they will not withdraw their protest until their demands are addressed.

Nationwide campus protests called from October 27

Against this backdrop, the SRFTI Students’ Union has called for a nationwide mobilisation beginning October 27, inviting students from universities, colleges and other educational institutions to participate.

The proposed movement seeks to bring together student organisations protesting against what they describe as increasing political interference, administrative repression and restrictions on democratic activities within educational institutions.

The union has placed a ten-point charter of demands at the centre of its campaign.

Among the principal demands are an end to the alleged “saffronisation” of educational institutions, revocation of expulsions imposed on protesting students, and withdrawal of the proposed Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, along with the National Education Policy 2020.

The students argue that institutional autonomy and the right to dissent are essential to preserving independent thought and democratic participation on campuses.

SRFTI students seek unity across institutions

The SRFTI Students’ Union has sought to link its agitation with controversies surrounding student protests at several prominent educational institutions across India.

It has referred to developments at Jamia Millia Islamia, IIT Bombay, Ambedkar University, Aligarh Muslim University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, the University of Hyderabad, Pondicherry University and Jadavpur University.

According to the protesters, disputes at these institutions reflect broader concerns over political interference in academic affairs, appointments allegedly influenced by ideological considerations, and punitive measures against dissenting students.

They contend that such developments are gradually restricting democratic spaces within higher educational institutions.

Sudip Chakraborty, a student at SRFTI, said invitations were being extended to students and organisations across the country to participate in the proposed movement.

He said the objective was to bring campus-based protests under a common platform and build a coordinated nationwide resistance against measures perceived as undermining institutional independence.

Actor’s support boosts protesters’ morale

Shah’s public expression of solidarity has provided fresh encouragement to the protesting students, who have continued their agitation despite the administration’s directives.

Shubham, Vice-President of the SRFTI Students’ Union, welcomed the actor’s intervention.

“We are deeply heartened by the message of solidarity from the veteran actor. We hope for similar support from everyone else,” he said.

With the October 27 mobilisation approaching, the SRFTI agitation is now seeking to expand beyond the Kolkata campus into a broader student-led campaign over academic freedom and democratic rights.

The scale of participation from universities and educational institutions across the country will determine whether the ongoing confrontation at SRFTI develops into a wider nationwide movement.

For now, the protesting students remain firm in their demands, while Shah’s intervention has brought renewed public attention to the dispute over campus autonomy, administrative accountability and the right to dissent.

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