Mumbai: Indian lyricist Javed Akhtar again fell under legal troubles for his alleged comparison of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) with the Taliban.
A civil defamation suit has been filed by RSS activist Vivek Champanerkar through advocate Aditya Mishra and Advocate Swapnil Kale at the Thane Civil Court.
The court of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate and Joint Civil Judge (senior division) has directed Akhtar to appear before the court on November 12.
Also Read: From ‘Ghatia Azam Road’ to ‘Late Ashok Singhal road’: Another Naamkaran of a UP road
The petition read, “The plaintiff he has been hurt by the defendant’s defamatory statement to tarnish the image of plaintiff’s organization and hence he is in loss of rupee one for which the defendant is liable to compensate him.”
Recently, in an interview with NDTV, Akhtar said, “I think people who support organizations like the RSS, VHP or Bajrang Dal need to do some introspection. Of course, the Taliban are reprehensible; they are barbarians. But the people whom you are supporting, how are they different from them (the Taliban).”
Moreover, another RSS member also sent a legal notice seeking damages of Rs. 100 crores in connection with the same remarks.
Earlier, Shiv Sena Leader Sanjay Raut criticizing Javed Akhtar, stated that comparing any of India’s organizations to the Taliban is condemnable, and such comparison is disrespectful to Hindu culture.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also staged a protest against Akhtar outside his house recently.
Continue Reading
