Veteran lyricist-screenwriter, Javed Akhtar has come down strongly on the grand reception given to Afghanistan Foreign Minister and Taliban leader Amir Muttaqi in India, calling the Taliban as the “world’s worst terrorist group”. Amir arrived in India last week, paying a visit to Deoband in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur, where he met senior clerics, scholars and administrators of the institution.
Taking to X, criticising the move, Javed said, “I hang my head in shame when I see the kind of respect and reception has been given to the representative of the world’s worst terrorists group Taliban by those who beat the pulpit against all kind of terrorists. Shame on Deoband too for giving such a reverent welcome to their 'Islamic Hero' who is one of those who have completely banned girls education. My Indian brothers n sisters! What is happening to us.”
Javed was referring to the restrictions imposed by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan on girls and women, which includes a ban on seeking education beyond sixth grade and restrictions on getting employment.
On the first day of his visit, the Afghan minister disallowed women journalists from attending his press conference in the Afghan Embassy in Delhi. Speaking about the violation of women’s rights in Afghanistan, he called it “propaganda”. “It is all propaganda. We have the Shariah there and everybody has rights. Each country has its own traditions and customs.”
In an interview with PTI, Muttaqi said, “I am thankful for such a grand welcome and the affection shown by the people here. I hope that India-Afghanistan ties advance further. We will be sending new diplomats, and I hope you people will visit Kabul as well. I have hopes for stronger ties in the future – from the way I was received in Delhi, these visits may be frequent in the near future.”
In another tweet, Javed referred to the minister’s decision to not allow women journalists in the press conference. Javed wrote, “How I wish that the sharp witted women journalists like Anjana Om Kashyap, Chitra, Navika and Rubika could attend the first press conference of that woman hater Talibani who was the official guest of our secular country but Alas.
