I want Muslims like him: Far-right Indian leader praises Javed Akhtar for comments in Pakistan

Javed Akhtar seems to have found himself an unlikely fan in the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, Raj Thackeray. The far-right Hindu leader, who was addressing a crowd in Mumbai on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, lauded the screenwriter.

During his speech, at the rally held at Dadar’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park on Wednesday, Raj Thackeray said, “I want people like Javed Akhtar and many more. I want Indian Muslims who speak against Pakistan and tell them our power. Javed Akhtar does that and I want Muslims like him.”

This was in reference to Akhtar’s presence at the Faiz Festival in Lahore, which was held to honour the great writer, Faiz Ahmad Faiz. It was at this event that the wordsmith had stated, “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.” 

This comment, which essentially spoke about the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was also met with thunderous applause from the Pakistanis seated in the audience at the festival. Akhtar also made his displeasure known regarding the fact that while India has hosted many Pakistani artists in the past, Pakistan never hosted singer Lata Mangeshkar.

When questioned about the proceedings of the festival upon his return at an ABP event, the writer is quoted to have said, “It became too big, it feels embarrassing, feel like I should not go (for such events). When I came here, it felt as if I have won the third World War. The people and the media have so many reactions. I was embarrassed – what is it that I have said? We have to say as much. Should we remain silent?”

Furthermore, when asked about whether or not he was afraid to be vocal about how he felt in Pakistan, he added, “I make such controversial comments in the country where I was born and will die – why would I be scared in a country I was visiting for two days? I am not scared here, why would I be scared there?”

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Article source: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2407686/i-want-muslims-like-him-far-right-indian-leader-praises-javed-akhtar-for-comments-in-pakistan