Mumbai: Poet, scriptwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar has said that if asked to choose between hell and Pakistan, he would prefer the former.
Speaking at a book release event of the Shiv Sena (UBT) in Mumbai on Saturday, Akhtar talked about how he faces a backlash from ‘both sides’ for being outspoken.
“Some ask me to go to hell. Others ask me to go to Pakistan. If I had to make a choice, I would choose hell over Pakistan,” Akhtar said. He was among the very few Bollywood celebrities to have lashed out at Pakistan for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that left 26 persons, mostly tourists from across the country, dead.
“People from both sides abuse me. It’s not one-sided. I would be very ungrateful if I don’t admit that there are people who also appreciate me. Many support me, praise me, and encourage me. But it is also true that the extremists from both sides abuse me. This is the reality,” he said.
“But then, even if one of them stops abusing, I will get worried about what mistake I am making. One says I am a ‘kaafir (non-believer)’ and will go to hell. The other says I am a jihadi and should go to Pakistan. Toh agar mere paas sirf choice Pakistan aur jahannum yani nark ki hain toh main nark hi jaana pasand karunga (So if I have the options of choosing between Pakistan and hell, I would like to go to hell),” he added.
After the Pahalgam attack, Akhtar had urged the Centre to take appropriate action against Pakistan. He had also hit out at Pakistan Army chief Gen Asim Munir for his Hindu-Muslim speech.
“This has happened not just once but several times. I request that the Central Government take immediate steps. A few crackers on the border will not work. Take a solid step now. Do something so that the mad Army chief there (Pakistan) sees sense. No sensible person can make a speech like he does,” Akhtar had said.
“He says that Hindus and Muslims are different communities. He does not even care that there are Hindus in his country, too. So, do they have no respect? What kind of man is he? They should get a befitting reply so that they remember. They will not pay heed to anything less. I don’t know much about politics. But I do know that it is time for ‘aar ya paar,” he had added.
