I used to respect & like him... I never knew that he was a dangerous urban Dimagi Naxal,” he said.“I came to know about his real character very late. (His views are) extremely harmful to India's democracy,” Rijiju added.

In the Facebook video posted on Tuesday, Shah, 76, called himself a “dimagi naxal” and displayed a pin bearing the phrase.“I proudly declare that I am 'dimagi naxal'. I don't know what other nicknames the watchmen have given to people like me, anti-national, 'tukde-tukde' gang, and I don't know what else,” he said.Shah added in Hindi: “...

I want to ask this government a question... What else will you do to break the courage of our country's youth, to destroy the education system, and to put our democracy at risk?

How much will you do? How far will you go?”The term “dimagi naxal” was first used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address.He described “dimagi naxals” as people who had allegedly entrenched themselves in the system and continued to pose a threat to society by manipulating policies.Speaking to PTI videos on Thursday, Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC also questioned Shah's remarks.“The question is whether Naseeruddin Shah is ACP Rathod or Gulam Hassan of 'Sarfarosh'.

He talks about urban naxalism, supporting the tukde-tukde gang, anti-national movements. The question to you, sir, with utmost respect, is do you believe in pro-India sloganeering or anti-India,” she said.In the 1999 film “Sarfarosh”, Shah played antagonist and covert operator Gulfam Hassan, while Aamir Khan played protagonist ACP Ajay Singh Rathod.Shah has frequently posted videos supporting issues raised by students.

He had criticised the government's handling of the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination in July.Last week, he also supported students of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute who are holding an indefinite sit-in over violent incidents on the campus.The exchange began with Shah's video supporting protesting students and criticising the government, following which Rijiju and Shaina NC questioned his remarks and political position.- Ends