Actor Naseeruddin Shah's keynote address at the Ajmer Literature festival was cancelled on Friday evening amid protests by right wing groups in the wake of his recent comments about the state valuing the life of a cow more than that of a policeman.

“Shah was scheduled to inaugurate the festival but he did not come because of the protest by some locals over his comments,” said Raas Bihari Gaur, coordinator of the festival. He was also scheduled to launch his book in the opening session, which was also called off due to the protests.

In a video uploaded by Karwan-e-Mohabbat India, a travelling activist collective that is focused on highlighting and combating instances of hate crimes and mob lynching, Naseeruddin Shah is seen expressing concern over the life of his children if they are surrounded by a mob.

He said, "Tomorrow if a mob surrounds them and asks, “Are you a Hindu or a Muslim?” they will have no answer. Because they have no religion."

He also talked about the "poison" that has spread in the Indian society. "There is complete impunity for those who take the law into their own hands. We have already witnessed that the death of a cow has more significance (in today's India) than that of a police officer," said Shah.

Defending his remarks, Shah asked why was he being called a traitor for asking questions about the country he lives in.

"What I said earlier was as a worried Indian. What did I say this time that I am being termed as a traitor? I am expressing concerns about the country I love, the country that is my home. How is that a crime?" asked Shah.