Mumbai: After hogging the limelight over his criticism of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Professor Yogesh Soman, Director, Academy of Theatre Arts, Mumbai University has wrecked another controversy. This time, he has lashed out at fellow artists such as Naseeruddin Shah, Farhan Akhtar and Swara Bhaskar. Speaking at a programme organised by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at Pune in support of Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), Soman called the trio sleeper cells of anti-national leftist organisations.
During his 34 minute speech at the programme, Soman elaborated on various aspects of the CAA and the current political situation in the country. While criticising opposition parties for misleading the minority community in the country over CAA and NRC, Soman said, “Once the opposition parties take up any such issue, the film stars promptly jump on it. People like Naseeruddin Shah, Farhan Akhtar and Swara Bhaskar are among the few to jump the bandwagon without complete knowledge of the issue. They just want to criticise the present government.” These people are sleeper cells of anti-national leftist organisations that have spread tentacles in various educational institutions like JNU, Soman added.
Taking on Farhan Akhtar and Swara Bhaskar, he said, “they are criticising CAA and NRC just because it suits the narrative their handlers are trying to set. It is surprising that after several decades of living in India, earning name, fame and wealth here, Naseeruddin Shah has suddenly feels insecure just because he is a Muslim.”
Reacting to the allegations, Congress spokesperson Sachin Savant said, “Yogesh Soman is not someone whom we react to. We don’t want to react to such people. Congress had objections on his political criticism while on government posts. We are not concerned about what he says as an individual.”
General Sec, Pune City ABVP Anil Thombre said, “the programme was organised in support of CAA. Soman implied that some actors were misleading Muslims on CAA. Whatever he said is his personal opinion and ABVP does not endorse it.” Yogesh Soman could not be reached for his version. Speaking to thenews21 Soman said, “The trio reacts conveniently on every issue related to national interest and function like sleeper cell that acts on instructions of handlers. That is why I call them sleeper cells. They are misleading people on CAA and NRC. They don’t represent the entire community either Muslim or Hindu. Shah fails to explain the nature of threat he is facing and feeling insecure. I am ready to debate on CAA with anyone.”
