Bollywood noted writer, poet and thinker Javed Akhtar took a dig at AIMIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi over the ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ issue.
“We are very blessed. We keep complaining, but we must be thankful for our constitution which gives us democracy,” he said in the Rajya Sabha while sharing his experiences in the upper house during the past six years.
Without naming AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, he said: “He (Owaisi) said he will not say ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ as the constitution does not require him to say so. But, the same constitution does not ask him to wear sherwani either,” Akhtar said.
A proud Indian, the film lyricist further said,”I don’t even want to know if chanting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ is my duty. It is, in fact, my right to do so.” Saying this, Akhtar chanted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” thrice in Rajya Sabha. He condemned Owaisi and others who are causing a rift between Hindus and Muslims.”
India’s biggest achievement after Independence was to establish “democracy in the roots of our country”, said Akhtar, who will retire as a nominated member from the Rajya Sabha this year.
“I felt so good,” Akhtar said, adding that there is not only a government in India but also an opposition.
He said that,”there are governments everywhere in the world, but only democratic country has opposition.”
Akhtar said he felt greatly enriched after spending six years in the upper house as he got to hear good debates and discussions on issues concerning the country.
“I have heard lots of leaders speaking here. I have heard (finance minister) Arun Jaitley’s scholarly debates. I have heard leaders like Kapil Sibal, Sitaram Yechury, Brinda Karat and others. It was good,” he said, adding he could have heard more leaders but frequent adjournments ruined it.
He said he would cherish his memories of his stint in the upper house as they were ‘keemti’ (precious).
He said, he urged the government that we need to harness the potential of youth power as they will not remain young forever. “Japan has lost this advantage and China is losing this advantage. You have 20 years to take advantage of the youth power. Both Opposition and the government have to think about it.”