In Excellent Farewell Speech, Javed Akhtar Delivers Message With 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'

In a nuanced response to the ongoing debate on intolerance, Mr Akhtar asked if societies that think "anything against their religion or faith is punishable by hanging" be an example to us, or the ones in that have "every kind of freedom, where even the (a movie like) The Last Temptation of Christ can be made".

 

At the same time, he took on All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Asaduddin Owaisi over his recent refusal to say "Bharat Mata ki Jai", which has generated a huge controversy.

 

Without naming Mr Owaisi, Mr Akhtar said, "There is one man who thinks that he is a national leader, but in reality he is only a leader in an area in the city of Hyderabad, in one of India's states."

 

The leader, Mr Akhtar said, claims he will not chant Bharat Mata ki Jai because it is not demanded in the Constitution. "The Constitution also does not ask him to wear a sherwani and a cap... I condemn his statements on all fronts," said Mr Akhtar, a nominated member of Rajya Sabha who will be retiring later this year.

 

Chanting "Bharat mata ki jai" multiple times, Mr Akhtar said it was his "right" to do so.