Hindu Nationalist party BJP has demanded apology from lyricist Javed Akhtar for comparing the RSS to Taliban.

The remarks by the noted screenplay writer and lyricist came in an interview with a news channel where he claimed that Taliban is a barbaric institution, but those who follow RSS, Bajrang Dal and other extreme outfits are as intolerant.

After his remark, a BJP spokesperson sought out ‘apology with folded hands’ from Akhtar and claimed that his films and work will not be played in India otherwise.

Contents hide
1. Details
2. The Facts of the Matter
3. Parallels Drawn – Controversy Starts
4. Akhtar’s Remarks “Hollow”: BJP Spokesperson
5. “Till the time he doesn’t apologize…”: BJP Seeks Apology
6. BJP Legal Advisor Files FIR Against Javed Akhtar

Details

Several popular celebrities, writers and influential people have stayed away from commenting on the recent Taliban situation in Afghanistan. However, Javed Akhtar, who in the past too has come forward in speaking his mind, spoke about the militant organization, and in process, stirred a controversy.

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The Facts of the Matter

The noted lyricist that has spent over 5 decades in the Indian film industry is now facing the threat of not having his work see the light of the day if he doesn’t apologize to RSS. The actor recently compared the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to the Islamic militant organization Taliban. For the unversed, RSS is a Hindu nationalist organization that’s also the ideological ancestor of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The Padma Bhushan recipient was recently part of a panel in a news debate programme. In the news debate, Mr. Akhtar claimed that both RSS and Taliban have the same intentions and said that while Taliban wants a completely Islamic State, the RSS wants a Hindu Rashtra.

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Parallels Drawn – Controversy Starts

He also noted that while the Taliban and its militants have a barbaric approach, and that their actions are “reprehensible”, the followers of RSS and similar organizations have the same mindset.

Akhtar’s Remarks “Hollow”: BJP Spokesperson

This has led to Mr. Akhtar receiving flak from RSS and BJP followers. Ram Kadam, a BJP spokesperson took to Twitter and shared a video message criticising Mr. Akhtar’s stance. “Before making such remarks, he should have considered the people who follow the same ideology and are running the government now by fulfilling their Raj Dharma. If their ideology was Talibani, would he be able to make such remarks? The answer to this question proves how hollow his statements were,” Mr. Kadam said in his video message.

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“Till the time he doesn’t apologize…”: BJP Seeks Apology

“Till the time he doesn’t apologize with folded hands to all those hard-working volunteers of the Sangh that have dedicated their lives to India, we will not let a single film of his run on the land of Ma Bharti,” Mr. Kadam concluded.

BJP Legal Advisor Files FIR Against Javed Akhtar

Further, advocate Ashutosh Dubey, who is the BJP Maharashtra’s legal advisor, took to Twitter to update that he has filed a complaint against Mr. Akhtar for “intentionally outranging to the RSS, VHP, and Bajrang Dal.”

“I have filed the complaint against #JavedAkhtar with the @MumbaiPolice for intentionally outranging to the RSS, VHP, and Bajrang Dal. Javed Akhtar called RSS, VHP, and Bajrang Dal supporters Talibani’s! A complaint has been lodged with Javed Akhtar’s residential police station,” advocate Dubey tweeted.

The BJP legal advisor also urged people from across the country to file an FIR against Akhtar from their respective states and invoked the followers adding, “this spirit of yours will help to stop such activities one day.”