MUMBAI: Veteran poet/writer Javed Akhtar on Saturday responded strongly to a query posted on social media. He responded to some of the tweets and slammed people for their sick mentality.
It all started with a tweet by a social media troll, Kumar Priyadarshi, who had attacked Naseeruddin Shah for appearing in a video by Amnesty International, where the actor questioned the targeting of dissenters and rights activists, as “anti-Indian”.
Tagging Akhtar as well as news website Quint, NDTV and journalist Barkha Dutt, Priyadarshi, who claims to be additional private secretary to the Union minister of state for micro, small and medium enterprises wrote on Twitter:
“After award wapasi gang, it’s now Amnesty Gang. Be ready more more anti India masala which would get big support from @TheQuint @BDUTT @Javedakhtarjadu Nasuriddin Shah, @ndtv and any Bollywood actor who is set to get notice from tax authorities for not paying taxes!!”
After award wapasi gang, it's now Amnesty Gang. Be ready more more anti India masala which would get big support from @TheQuint @BDUTT @Javedakhtarjadu Nasuriddin Shah, @ndtv and any Bollywood actor who is set to get notice from tax authorities for not paying taxes!!
— Kumar Priyadarshi (@darshi1986) January 5, 2019
The troll did a mistake by tagging the veteran poet who didn’t take the insult lightly and thus wrote, “Why do you think that any one who is against the establishment is against the country. Any one who is against the government is against the nation . By this logic whole of political opposition is anti national and before 2014 even BJP was anti national because it was anti govt.”
Why do you think that any one who is against the establishment is against the country . Any one who is against the government is against the nation . By this logic whole of political opposition is anti national and before 2014 even BJP was anti national because it was anti govt .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) January 5, 2019
Mr. Javed continued to give it right back.
Rakesh ji suppose I say unemployment has increased in our country or I comment that prices have gone sky high. I May be right or wrong but am I criticising the country or the present despensation. Think about it .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) January 5, 2019
Akhtar responded: “Since you are against selective outrage I am sure you must have criticised pseudo-liberals on one hand and right-wing fanatics on the other, right? Tell me if I check your tweets will I find even one against those who have lynched some innocent people on the streets?”
Since you are against selective outrage I am sure you must have critcised pyseudo liberals on one hand and right wing fanatics on the other . Right ? Tell me if I check your tweets will I find even one against Those who have lynched some innocent people on the streets .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) January 5, 2019
I am happy that you are saving your energy and time . Good luck to you .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) January 5, 2019
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah was called a “namak-haram” (traitor) and a “Trojan horse” for Friday’s video, uploaded by the Amnesty India, where he alleged that “those who stand against the injustice (in India) are having their voices silenced.”
Speaking in Hindi, Shah says, “In the name of religion, walls of hate are being erected. Innocents are being killed. The country is awash with horrific hatred and cruelty.”
Earlier in December, Shah had triggered a controversy by his comments made in a video.
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