Ban Akhtar's Films Until He Apologises With Folded Hands on RSS Remark: BJP MLA

Lyricist Javed Akhtar drew parallels between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Taliban.

Javed Akhtar.

(Photo Courtesy: YouTube screengrab)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ram Kadam on Saturday, 4 September, demanded an apology from veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar, saying that he must apologise for drawing parallels between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Taliban.

Ashutosh J Dubey, the legal advisor to the BJP’s Maharashtra unit, and a Mumbai-based lawyer, said that he has filed a police complaint against Akhtar.

He wrote on Twitter, "I have filed the complaint against #JavedAkhtar with the @MumbaiPolice for intentionally outranging to the RSS, VHP, and Bajrang Dal."

Meanwhile, in a video message posted on Saturday, Kadam stated in Hindi that Akhtar’s statement is not just shameful, but painful and humiliating for crores of functionaries of the RSS, and the Vishva Hindu Parishad.

"Before making these remarks, he should have thought that people with the same ideology are running the government now and are fulfilling raj dharma. If their ideology was Talibani, would he have been able to make these remarks?"

Ram Kadam

Kadam, who represents Ghatkopar West in the Maharashtra Assembly also threatened to ban Akhtar's films in India and said, "We will not allow any of his films to run in this land of Ma Bharti till he apologises with folded hands to the functionaries of the Sangh who have dedicated their lives to the nation."

He has also claimed that he will register a police complaint against Akhtar on Sunday.

What Akhtar Had Said

Akhtar's remarks came during an interaction with NDTV last week.

In the wake of Taliban's seizure of Afghanistan, which has resulted in a mass exodus of persons from the crisis-ridden country, Akhtar stated, "Just like the Taliban want an Islamic State, there are those who want a Hindu Rashtra. These people are of the same mindset -- be it Muslim, Christian, Jews or Hindus."

He went on to say, "Of course, the Taliban is barbaric, and their actions are reprehensible, but those supporting the RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal are all the same."

(With inputs from Hindustan Times)