Piyush Mishra Takes a Dig at Naseeruddin Shah Over JPSC Protest: ‘Where Are the Dogs With Bones in Their Mouths Now?’

Piyush Mishra Takes a Dig at Naseeruddin Shah Over JPSC Protest, Asks: ‘Where Are the Dogs With Bones in Their Mouths Now?’

Actor and writer Piyush Mishra has taken a sharp dig at veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah over the ongoing JPSC-JSSC student protest in Jharkhand. After visiting the protesting students in Ranchi, Piyush turned Naseeruddin’s earlier ‘bone in the mouth’ remark back on him and questioned where those people were now who, according to the analogy, could not speak.

Piyush’s remarks have sparked a fresh debate because they directly reference a statement Naseeruddin Shah had made earlier while commenting on the silence of the film industry over a student protest at Jantar Mantar.

What Did Piyush Mishra Say About Naseeruddin Shah?

Piyush Mishra recently reached Ranchi and met students protesting over issues related to JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations. While speaking about the movement, he brought up Naseeruddin Shah’s earlier comment about people who remain silent during student protests.

Naseeruddin had used an analogy suggesting that a dog with a bone in its mouth cannot bark. The remark was made in the context of why some people from the film industry may choose not to speak up on certain issues.

Piyush has now turned that analogy around.

While supporting the protesting students in Ranchi, he questioned where the people with ‘bones in their mouths’ were now. His remarks were seen as a direct dig at Naseeruddin Shah and those who had earlier spoken about the need for celebrities to raise their voices for students.

Piyush also made it clear that he was no longer afraid of Naseeruddin Shah.

Why Did Piyush Mishra Visit the Students in Ranchi?

Piyush Mishra reached the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, where students have been protesting over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations.

The actor said that he had watched interviews of some of the protesting students and was deeply affected by what he saw. He decided to travel to Ranchi and stand with them personally.

Piyush interacted with the students, heard their concerns and extended his support to their movement.

He also performed his popular song ‘Aarambh Hai Prachand’ at the protest site, further energising the students.

What Is the JPSC-JSSC Protest About?

The controversy revolves around recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

Students have raised allegations of irregularities in the recruitment process, with the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Examination becoming one of the major flashpoints.

The protesting students are demanding that the examination be cancelled and that the alleged irregularities be investigated independently.

For aspirants, the issue is much bigger than a single examination. Government recruitment exams involve years of preparation, and any question over the fairness or transparency of the process can directly affect the careers of thousands of young people.

Some students have also resorted to hunger strikes as part of the agitation.

What Do JPSC and JSSC Actually Do?

JPSC, or the Jharkhand Public Service Commission, conducts competitive examinations for several important government positions in the state, including civil services recruitment.

JSSC, or the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission, conducts recruitment examinations for various posts across state government departments.

Because these bodies are responsible for major government recruitments, any controversy surrounding their examinations can have a significant impact on job aspirants.

The current protest has therefore evolved beyond one examination, with students also demanding greater transparency and accountability in the recruitment system.

Why Has Naseeruddin Shah’s Old Statement Returned to the Spotlight?

Naseeruddin Shah’s earlier remarks about student protests had already triggered discussion about the silence of Bollywood celebrities.

His ‘dog with a bone’ analogy was used to explain why some people may not be able to speak openly on certain issues.

Piyush Mishra has now used the same analogy in the context of the Jharkhand student protest.

His question is straightforward: if celebrities were expected to speak up during one student movement, why are similar voices not being heard when students in Jharkhand are protesting over their careers and recruitment examinations?

That has turned what was initially a student protest into a larger debate about celebrity activism and selective silence.

Piyush Mishra and Naseeruddin Shah Have Had Differences Before

The latest exchange is also significant because Piyush Mishra and Naseeruddin Shah have had differences in the past.

Both are highly respected names in Indian theatre and cinema, but Piyush has previously spoken publicly about his strained equation with Naseeruddin.

That background gives his latest remarks an additional layer.

While Piyush’s current criticism is centred around the student movement, his reference to Naseeruddin’s earlier statement has inevitably brought their old differences back into the spotlight.

Has This Become a Bollywood vs Bollywood Debate?

Piyush Mishra’s comments have once again raised a larger question about the role of celebrities in social and political issues.

Should actors speak up whenever students take to the streets? Is remaining silent simply a personal choice? Or do public figures have a greater responsibility because their voices can bring attention to issues affecting ordinary people?

Naseeruddin Shah had earlier questioned the silence of the film industry. Piyush Mishra has now turned that argument around and asked why similar voices are missing from the Jharkhand protest.

For now, the students’ demands remain at the heart of the JPSC-JSSC controversy. But Piyush Mishra’s intervention has added a new and highly personal layer to the story.

He did not just stand with the protesting students in Ranchi—he took Naseeruddin Shah’s own ‘bone in the mouth’ analogy and threw the question straight back at him.