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Javed Akhtar also responded to a recent incident in Mussoorie, where Kashmiri shawl sellers were attacked by locals, prompting 16 vendors to flee the hill station.
Javed Akhtar demands decisive response from India after deadly Pahalgam terror attack.
Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has strongly criticised Pakistan in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives and left many injured. Speaking at a FICCI event in Delhi, Akhtar condemned the recurring nature of such attacks and called for firm action from the Indian government.
He questioned Pakistan’s repeated denials of involvement in such incidents, stating, “Where did these terrorists come from? Not Germany. We don’t share a border with them.”
Akhtar said the attack should be a turning point. “What happened in Pahalgam… of course there will be tension. How can there not be tension when such incidents keep happening? Every few days we see something like this occur, and every year there is at least one such tragic event.”
Talking about India’s efforts towards peace, he said, “Every government in this country, whether it’s the Congress or the BJP, has tried to establish peace. Even Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji went to Pakistan. But what did they do? They washed the place he visited. Is that what they call friendship?”
Akhtar further slammed Pakistan’s handling of the Kargil war aftermath and questioned its claims over Kashmir. “How are we supposed to talk to Pakistan when they didn’t even accept the dead bodies of their own soldiers from the Kargil war?… Even today, 99% of Kashmiris are loyal to India.”
He also responded to a recent incident in Mussoorie, where Kashmiri shawl sellers were attacked by locals, prompting 16 vendors to flee the hill station. “To those who harass Kashmiris in places like Mussoorie or any other part of India, you are only validating and confirming Pakistan’s propaganda,” he warned.
Calling for concrete steps, Akhtar added, “I hope the government takes some strong and definitive action. It should be clearly conveyed to the Pakistani establishment that this will not be tolerated. Their Army Chief is insane, he has no sense. And we must not forget the Pahalgam attack. Their eyes are also on Mumbai.”
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