As accusations fly over veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah’s abrupt exclusion from a Mumbai University lecture, All India Muslim Jamaat chief Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi has stepped in, decrying it as hardcore communalism.
The saga began with an invite that was withdrawn amid controversy, organizers insisting Shah backed out. Razvi, addressing the melee, slammed the episode outright.
‘Labeling every voice as anti-national undermines our democracy,’ Razvi stated firmly. ‘The Constitution’s strength lies in permitting open government critique—sedition has limits, and we must respect them.’
What happened to Shah, he insisted, isn’t mere disagreement but a marker of extremism infiltrating educational spaces. Free speech, he reiterated, is India’s hallmark.
Razvi then highlighted UP CM Yogi Adityyanath’s contrasting model. ‘Unlike some leaders harassing minorities, Yogi eyes development. He sees no Hindu-Muslim divide, delivering benefits to all and earning Muslim loyalty.’
No CM fiat has shut madrasas, Razvi added—court rulings handle such issues. This nuanced commentary from a key voice paints a picture of leadership that unites rather than divides, calling for an end to knee-jerk intolerance.