Actor and writer Piyush Mishra has publicly questioned veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah over his participation in a Mumbai protest, asking why he has not spoken out on several other issues that Mishra believes deserve attention.

Shah recently attended a demonstration organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park. The protest was aimed at demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Soon after the event, Mishra posted a video message on social media in which he addressed Shah directly and raised a series of questions about issues including the recent Flydubai cockpit incident, a student protest and relief efforts in Jharkhand.

Mishra asks Shah to comment on Flydubai incident

One of the issues raised by Mishra was the recent incident involving a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

Mishra referred to Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who was injured during an alleged cockpit attack by the aircraft's co-pilot. The crew and passengers intervened after the cockpit door was opened, and the aircraft was subsequently diverted.

Mishra praised Machchhar’s actions and asked Shah to comment on the incident as well.

The incident involved Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit. The aircraft eventually landed safely in Saudi Arabia after the emergency.

Student protests also mentioned

Mishra also referred to the recent unrest surrounding a student protest at Lovely Professional University.

Addressing Shah, Mishra recalled comments he attributed to the veteran actor about students and their influence on him, drawing a comparison with his own experiences at institutions such as the National School of Drama and the Film and Television Institute of India.

Mishra questioned Shah over his alleged silence on the police action connected to the student protests.

His remarks appeared to draw on his own involvement with student movements. Earlier, Mishra had travelled to Jharkhand to express solidarity with students protesting over issues linked to state recruitment examinations.

Jharkhand relief effort becomes another point of contention

Mishra also brought up an earlier interaction with Shah concerning relief work in Jharkhand.

According to Mishra, he had approached Shah for assistance with relief efforts and said Shah responded by sharing a poem by a Pakistani poet.

Mishra argued that the people affected by the situation required basic supplies rather than poetry, listing food and other essential items as examples.

The comments form part of Mishra’s broader criticism of what he sees as selective public engagement by Shah on social and political issues.

Shah yet to respond

Shah has not publicly responded to Mishra’s latest remarks, and there has been no statement from his representatives addressing the video.

Shah’s appearance at the CJP demonstration came as the party intensified its campaign against the Election Commission. The organisation has announced plans for a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on October 10 if CEC Gyanesh Kumar does not resign.

The CJP has also indicated plans to take its campaign to other cities, including Kolkata, Bengaluru and Ranchi.

Mishra’s comments have meanwhile brought a fresh public exchange between the two veteran actors into focus, with the dispute centred on their differing approaches to political and social issues.