Veteran actor, singer and lyricist Piyush Mishra has taken a sharp dig at Naseeruddin Shah over the ongoing JPSC-JSSC student protest in Jharkhand. Mishra recently reached Ranchi to extend his support to students protesting over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. During his interaction with the protesters, he questioned the silence of celebrities and indirectly referred to an earlier statement made by Naseeruddin Shah. The remarks have once again brought the equation between the two veteran actors into the spotlight.
Piyush Mishra
Piyush Mishra Questions Naseeruddin Shah
While speaking about the ongoing student movement, Piyush Mishra reportedly referred to comments made by Naseeruddin Shah during an earlier protest in Delhi. Shah had criticised the silence of several celebrities over the CJP-led student movement and had used the metaphor of people having bones in their mouths to describe those who remain silent. Reacting to the statement, Mishra asked, “Who are the dogs with bones in their mouths now?” He also addressed Shah directly and questioned why the same standards were not being applied to the current student protest.
Piyush Mishra
Mishra reportedly added that he no longer feels afraid of speaking his mind and apologised to Shah while making the pointed remark. The JPSC-JSSC student protest in Ranchi has been continuing for several weeks. Students have been raising concerns regarding alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and demanding action from the authorities. Mishra’s visit to Ranchi comes at a time when the movement has attracted increasing public and celebrity attention. The actor’s presence has also sparked discussions about whether more Bollywood personalities should publicly support student movements and raise their concerns.
Piyush Mishra
According to recent reports, the Jharkhand government has also responded to the students’ concerns, with three JPSC members resigning amid the controversy. Interestingly, this is not the first time Piyush Mishra has spoken openly about his equation with Naseeruddin Shah. In an interview earlier this year, Mishra admitted that the two actors do not share a good relationship.
Piyush Mishra
Mishra had said that neither he nor Shah particularly liked each other and suggested that maintaining distance was easier when both people knew they did not get along. The latest comments therefore carry additional significance, given their previously acknowledged differences. Piyush Mishra’s remarks have added another layer to the ongoing debate around celebrity involvement in student protests.