New Delhi: Writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar’s recent comments about the 26/11 attacks, made before a gathering in Lahore, earned him much praise in India, including actress Kangana Ranaut. The video, which went viral, has irked many Pakistani celebrities and they have expressed their displeasure on his comments.
Actress Resham, who was also present at the private dinner hosted by Singer Ali Zafar for the lyricist, wrote on Instagram that she puts her country above everything else. She wrote in Urdu, “My country is more dear to me than anything else. I absolutely had no knowledge about what Javed Akhtar sahab said about my country in the Faiz Festival session. I condemn his words. As per our customs of special treatment, we consider guests God’s mercy but Pakistan is more precious to us than our hearts and lives.”
Earlier, she had shared pictures with Akhtar from the party hosted by Ali Zafar.
Actress Saboor Aly too took to Instagram stories and wrote, "Koi apne ghar mein aa kar beizzat kar ke ja raha hai upse khushi se shor machaya ja raha hai aur phir qadmoun mein baitha ja raha hae (Someone has insulted your country on your own soil, and you are celebrating him, honouring him with such joy, sitting at his feet). What a shame!"
She further wrote, "All the educated illiterate – the so-called niche – you never gave the same respect to your own talent. There were so many artists in this country that didn’t even have money to afford healthcare at the end of their lives. Where were all of these appreciators of talent back then?”
Actor-VJ Anoushey Ashraf tweeted, “Giving respect to a guest is essential. But never at the cost of your self-respect. The way some were hanging off javed akhtar sb’s leg in admiration was a tad bit extra willingness to please. Maybe he’d be weary of his words if we’d shown him the dignity we have (or lack?)”
Actor Shaan Shahid accused the lyricist of selective criticism and said he remained silent about the Gujarat riots. "Inko Gujarat mein musalmanoon ke qatil ka tu pata hai lekin yeh khamosh hain... aur ab yeh sahab Pakistan main 26/11 ke mulzimoon ko dhoond rahay hain. Isko visa kis ne dia (He is quiet about those who killed Muslims in Gujarat, but wants to find those behind Mumbai attacks in Pakistan. Who gave him a visa to visit the country)?"
Akhtar, who was in Pakistan to attend a festival organised in memory of renowned poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz, said that the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks are still roaming free in their country.
While addressing the audience in Pakistan, Javed Akhar was asked whether he will take back with him messages of peace, and tell Indians that Pakistanis welcomed him with love. He replied, ““Let us not blame each other. That won’t solve issues. Jo garam hai fiza, woh kam honi chahiye. Hum toh Bambaiye log hain. Hamne dekha wahan kaise hamla hua tha. Wo log Norway se toh nahi aaye the naa Egypt se aaye the, wo log abhi bhi aapke mulk me ghum rahe hain. Toh ye shikayat agar Hindustani ke dil me ho toh aapko bura nahi manna chahiye (The atmosphere needs to cool down. I am from Bombay and all of us witnessed the attack on Bombay. 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).”