Not the first time: Javed Akhtar’s remarks against Pakistan over the years


Indian playwright Javed Akhtar has been a constant critic of Pakistan and its government

The lyricist's recent visit to Lahore for the 7th Faiz Festival has created quite a stir on social media

Apart from expressing his love for the legendary Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz and respecting all languages, his controversial remarks about the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks roaming freely in Pakistan have angered many

However, this isn’t the first time the scriptwriter has expressed derogatory comments against Pakistan

Javed Akhtar on Uri Attacks In 2016, Akhtar told Times Now that Pakistani actors’ silence on the Uri attack is because they feel Pakistan is responsible for it

Speaking to Times Now, the 78-year-old artist said, “Their silence is a kind of confession from Pakistani actors that Pakistan is responsible for it

This is the least they (actors) can do

" He went on to comment, "If Pakistan says that ‘we are not responsible for it (the Uri attack)’, I don’t see any reason why Pakistani artists or any Pakistani citizen should not condemn Uri and this kind of terrorist attack

Because they say that we’re not responsible for it, then wonderful, come out and condemn it! Any Pakistani who keeps quiet about it is condoning our statement that actually Pakistan is responsible for it

” On Pulwama Attack In 2019, Akhtar and his wife, popular Indian actor Shabana Azmi, were supposed to attend an event organised in memory of poet Kaifi Azmi by the Arts Council, which the cancelled following the Pulwama attack

At that time, Akhtar had taken to social media to announce his decision of backing out from the festival

He tweeted, "Karachi Art Council had invited

Shabana and I for a two-day literature conference about Kaifi Azmi and his poetry

We have cancelled that

In 1965 during the Indo-Pak war, Kaifi saheb had written a poem, Aur Phir Krishna Ne Arjun Se Kaha'

" Kranchi art council had invited

Shabana and me for a two day lit conference about Kaifi Azmi and his poetry

We have cancelled that

In 1965 during the indo Pak war Kaifi saheb had written a poem

“ AUR PHIR KRISHAN NE ARJUN SE KAHA “ — Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) February 15, 2019 He also criticised former Prime Minister Imran Khan for denying responsibility for the attack

Akhtar tweeted, “Imran has thrown a no-ball

Every time they ask what makes you think it's our doing? After the Mumbai terrorist attack, a Pakistani TV anchor asked me why you are so sure it is Pakistan; it can be any country

I said fine, I will give you three [countries], you choose one

Brazil, Sweden and Pakistan

” Imran has thrown a no ball

Every time they ask what makes you think its our doing

After the mumbai terrorist attack a pak TV anchor asked me why you are so sure it is Pakistan it can be any country I said fine I will give you 3 you choose one

Brazil , Sweden and Pakistan

— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) February 19, 2019 Akhtar on 26/11 Mumbai attacks Akhtar has been vocal about his opinions against the Pakistani Government, over the years, on his social media and tweeted multiple times about various incidents

Most recently, the Jee Le Zara lyricist said that Indians have catered several events for Pakistani artists, such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Mehdi Hassan, but Pakistan has never hosted Lata Mangeshkar

The audience applauded his comment

He further said that they shouldn’t blame each other

He continued: “That won’t solve issues

The ongoing political turmoil needs to cool down

I am from Mumbai and all of us witnessed the attack on the city

The attackers weren’t from Norway, or from Egypt

They are still present in your country, so you should not be offended if an Indian complains about this

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Date:24-Feb-2023 Reference:View Original Link