RSS-Taliban Comment: Police Deployed Outside Javed Akhtar’s House

Mumbai: Fearing untoward incidents, police personnel have been posted outside the residence of Javed Akhtar’s Mumbai residence after his alleged remark comparing RSS with the Taliban evoked strong response from BJP and Shiv Sena.

“We have stationed two police vans and teams outside Akhtar’s residence. Till now, there has been no protest. Nor have we received any complaint by or against Akhtar regarding the matter. Akhtar did not ask for police protection. But we acted on our own and deployed the cops to ensure that there is no law and order problem,” an officer of Juhu police station said.

Akhtar had recently said during a TV programme that the Taliban and RSS shared a fascist ideology, adding “the Taliban was more empowered with weapons, but the view, outlook, and ideology are mirroring each other.”

Akhtar also criticized Indian Muslims who supported the return of Taliban in Afghanistan.

Shiv Sena said on Monday Akhtar was “completely wrong” in comparing the RSS with the Taliban. “How can you say those who favour the concept of a Hindu Rashtra are of Talibani mindset? We don’t agree with this,” an editorial in Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ said.

A BJP MLA earlier said unless Akhtar apologised to RSS with folded hands, his films wouldn’t be screened in India.