Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Feb 21: Noted writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar’s blunt comments in Pakistan on terrorists responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attack still “roaming free” in that country and the consequent bitterness in the hearts of Indians, has won accolades from many Indians after the video has gone viral on social media.
Javed Akhtar, who was in Lahore Pakistan last week for a festival in Lahore in memory of legendary Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, reminded Pakistan that the 26/11 attackers were from their country. “You shouldn’t be offended if Indians complain about this,” he told the audience.
The renowned lyricist, during an interaction, spoke about defusing tension between the two countries and said Pakistan couldn’t blame Indians for being angry. He was responding to someone in the audience saying: “You have visited Pakistan so many times. When you go back do you tell your people that these are good people, they aren’t just bombing us but also greeting us with garlands and love?”
Javed Akhtar replied: “The atmosphere needs to cool down. We should not blame each other. It will solve nothing. The atmosphere is tense, that should be doused. We are people from Mumbai, we have seen the attack on our city. They (attackers) did not come from Norway or Egypt. They are still roaming free in your country. So if there is anger in the Hindustani’s heart, you can’t complain.”
He pointed out that Indian artistes had not been welcomed in Pakistan in the way India had hosted Pakistani legends. “When Faiz Sahab visited, he was received like a very important visitor. It was broadcast all over. We hosted big functions of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Mehdi Hasan. You (Pakistan) ever organized a function for Lata Mangeshkar?” the poet asked drawing cheers and claps from the gathering.
Javed Akhtar’s comments are being widely shared and praised. Some called it his “surgical strike” in Pakistan. “People who came to attack Mumbai didn’t come from Norway or Egypt. They are still roaming free in Pakistan and every Indian has this complaint in his heart.”
“Mehdi Hassan was a cult figure in India. When he visited India, Shabana (Azmi) hosted it, I wrote for the event which was graced by the likes of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. When Faiz sahab visited, it seemed like an authority was visiting…it was broadcast all over. Have you ever seen Sahir (Ludhianvi), Kaifi (Azmi) or (Ali) Sardar Jafri’s interviews on PTV? It was shown in India, it happened there… So the communication blockade is from both sides and perhaps more from your side,” he said.
In one of the most horrific terrorist attacks in the country’s history, 166 people were killed and over 300 injured as 10 heavily-armed terrorists from Pakistan created mayhem in Mumbai on November 26, 2008.
Nine Pakistani terrorists were killed by the Indian security forces. Ajmal Kasab was the only terrorist who was captured alive. He was hanged four years later on November 21, 2012 after a trial.
Actor Kangana Ranaut was among those who cheered Javed Akhtar for his remarks in Pakistan. “When I listen to Javed Saab’s poetry, I wonder how blessed he is by Goddess Saraswati. But there must be something pure in the person for God to bless them. Jai Hind @Javedakhtarjadu saab. Ghar mein ghuss ke maara (you beat them in their own backyard),” Kangana Ranaut wrote.
Several other appreciative comments also surfaced on the social media. “Good, Javed Akhtar pointed this out sitting in Lahore himself. But Pakistan is beyond redemption,” said one. “Javed Akhtar doing surgical strike in Pakistan,” “Direct and unambiguous, well done,” “No-Nonsense,” were some of the other comments came.
During the visit, Akhtar was also hosted by Pakistani actor-singer Ali Zafar at a private gathering in Lahore. A video of the jam session, surfaced on the internet, shows Zafar crooning Zindagi Aa Raha Hoon Main, a Bollywood song sung by Kishore Kumar and written by Akhtar in 1984 for the film Mashaal. Faiz Festival was a three-day event held from February 17 to February 19.
