On Sunday, we had reported about actor-writer Piyush Mishra joining the protesting students at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, expressing solidarity with them. At the protests, the Gangs of Wasseypur actor made a dig at Naseeeruddin Shah for his recent remarks about CJP protests.
Addressing the media, Piyush Mishra said, “Naseer Sahab, you had said during the CJP protest that some people from the film industry weren’t speaking up for the students protesting at Jantar Mantar. You said those who have bones in their mouths, they don't speak. With all due respect, I would like to ask you, where are the other dogs who can’t speak?”
It is to be noted that a few days ago, speaking to The Wire, Naseeruddin Shah talked about the industry’s response to CJP-led protests, saying “There's a saying: a dog with a bone in its mouth can't bark. As soon as the bone drops out of their mouth, or it breaks their teeth, then they will bark”.
Piyush Mishra also alleged that whose who partook in Delhi and Mumbai protests against NEET paper leak scam 'ate pizza and burgers', unlike the hardworking students in Jharkhand, adding, “Did you people stay silent simply because you were craving pizza and burgers, or because of the specific crowd you were part of?"
While expressing respect for Naseeruddin Shah, Piyush Mishra added, “Forgive me, Naseer-sahab; I respect you greatly, but I no longer feel like being afraid of you..."
Earlier on Sunday, Piyush met student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike over the paper leak issue in Jharkhand. He spoke about why he chose to join the students at the protests, also speaking about his connection with young people. A video from the protests, where Piyush could be seen singing his song 'Aarambh Hai Prachand' from the 2009 Hindi film Gulaal, has also gone viral.
The JPSC-JSSC protests in Ranchi have now entered third week, where the students are demanding cancellation of the 14th JPSC exams, besides an independent inquiry into the issue. While the government has assured that students’ concerns will be addressed and 3 JPSC members have resigned amid a CID inquiry, the deadlock is yet to be resolved.
