Javed Akhtar reacts to his comment on 26/11 attacks; says, “It became too big, it feels embarrassing”

Javed Akhtar recently went to a festival in Lahore to honour the author Faiz Ahmed Faiz, where he learned that Indians believe all Pakistanis to be terrorists. In a sharp response, Javed stated that the terrorists of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks continue to roam freely in Pakistan. Since then, he has been at the centre of the debate; while Indian celebrities and politicians are applauding him for the statement, Pakistani celebrities like Ali Zafar have criticised him. Javed reiterated his remarks from the event while speaking at an ABP event. He said, “It became too big, it feels embarrassing, feel like I should not go (for such events). Yaha aya to laga pata nahi third World War jeet ke aya hoon. The people and the media have so many reactions. I was embarrrased aisa kya keh diya? Itni baat to kehni padegi, chup rahein kya?” He further added, “I got to know that people are abusing me there. They are asking, ‘Why was he given visa?’ Is tarah ki baatein, jo thodisi sensitive aur controversial ho… jis mulk mein paida hue, jisme rehte hain aur jisme marenge waha karte rehte hai toh do din wahaa gaye the, wahaan kya darna? Jab yaha nahi darte toh wahaan kya darenge?” He was questioned about how he mustered the confidence to say these things in front of a Pakistani audience. He replied, “I’m sure the youth of Pakistan will embrace you with open arms. I’ll tell you one thing — No country is a monolith. What happens is that we start believing that the policies of their government and establishment is what the country is about. But that’s not true.” He further added, “The fact is that it is very unfortunate that we are unaware that there is a huge segment in Pakistan that wants to have a good relation with India and that is totally understandable, not because they are saints, but because they are seeing a country next door jahaan itna development hai, itni industries hai, jahaan par corportate world itna develop kar gaya, jahaan culture itna hai, jahaan music aur films itni peak pe hai. So, an average citizen of that country would obviously be curious and would want to come here and see and if given an opportunity of a job or a presentation, he’ll run to do it and it totally understandable.” The Faiz Festival was a three-day event, which commenced on February 17 and ended on February 19. Javed believed that it was unfair to expect Indians to disregard the fact that the attackers were living freely in Pakistan after having witnessed the horrors of the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. Also Read: Ali Zafar slams Javed Akhtar for making insensitive statements on Pakistan

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