Not for the first time: Javed Akhtar’s criticisms of Pakistan were made over the course of several years.
Many times in the past, an Indian poet has accused Pakistan of assaulting his country and harboring terrorists, and he has made these accusations against Pakistan.
Javed Akhtar, an Indian dramatist, has consistently criticised Pakistan and its leadership. Social media is buzzing about the lyricist’s recent trip to Lahore for the 7th Faiz Festival.
In addition to professing his affection for the renowned Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz and his appreciation for all languages, his contentious comments regarding the terrorists who carried out the 26/11 Mumbai attacks being free to wander around Pakistan have infuriated many. Yet, the writer of the script has previously made disparaging remarks about Pakistan.
On the Uri Attacks, Javed Akhtar
In 2016, Akhtar stated to Times Now that Pakistani actors were keeping quiet about the Uri incident because they believed Pakistan was to blame. The 78-year-old artist stated, “Their silence is a type of confession from Pakistani performers that Pakistan is guilty for it,” in an interview with Times Now. The very least they (actors) can do is this.”
He continued by saying, “I don’t see why Pakistani artists or any Pakistani person wouldn’t condemn Uri and this kind of terrorist assault if Pakistan asserts that “we are not responsible for it (the Uri attack)”. If they claim that we are not to blame for it, great, then publicly denounce it! Any Pakistani who remains silent about it is endorsing our claim that Pakistan is genuinely to blame.
For the Pulwama Attack
Akhtar and his wife, well-known Indian actor Shabana Azmi, were scheduled to attend an Arts Council event in 2019 in honour of poet Kaifi Azmi, but it was postponed in the wake of the Pulwama tragedy. At that time, Akhtar announced his decision to withdraw from the festival on social media.
He tweeted: “Invited was the Karachi Art Council. I will be attending a two-day literature conference with Shabana regarding Kaifi Azmi’s poetry. It has been cancelled. A poem called Aur Phir Krishna Ne Arjun Se Kaha was composed by Kaifi saheb in 1965 during the Indo-Pak war.”
Imran Khan, a former prime minister, was also criticised by him for denying culpability for the incident. “Imran has threw a no-ball,” Akhtar tweeted. When they inquire, what makes you believe that we are to blame? After the terrorist attack in Bombay, a Pakistani TV host questioned me, saying, “Why are you so confident it’s Pakistan when it might be any country?” I replied, “Well, pick one of the three [countries] I’ll give you.” Pakistan, Sweden, and Brazil.
On the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Akhtar
Over the years, Akhtar has been outspoken on social media about his dislike of the Pakistani government and has tweeted numerous times about various situations. The Jee Le Zara lyricist recently claimed that while Pakistan has never hosted Lata Mangeshkar, Indians have catered numerous occasions for Pakistani singers like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Mehdi Hassan. His statement was praised by the audience.
He added that they shouldn’t assign blame to one another. That won’t resolve the problem, he continued. There needs to be some calm in the continuing political unrest. We all saw the attack on the city; I am from Mumbai. The assailants did not hail from Egypt or Norway. You shouldn’t take offence if an Indian complains about this because they are still there in your country.
