United News of Bangladesh

Renowned lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar said he faces criticism from extremists on both sides of the ideological spectrum, with some telling him to go to hell and others suggesting he should go to Pakistan. Speaking at the launch of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut's book ‘Narkatla Swarg’ (Heaven in the Swamp) in Mumbai on Saturday, Akhtar said if given a choice between the two, he would choose hell. “People from both sides abuse me. It's not one-sided. I would be very ungrateful if I don't admit that there are people who also appreciate me. Many support me, praise me, and encourage me. But this is also true: the extremists from this side also abuse me, and the extremists from that side also abuse. This is the reality,” Akhtar said at the event, which was attended by several political leaders including Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar. OPERATION SINDOOR: India says no Pakistani military facilities targeted “If even one of them stops abusing, I will get worried about what mistake I am making. One says I am a 'kaafir (non-believer)' and will go to hell. The other says I am a jihadi and should go to Pakistan. So if I have the options of choosing between Pakistan and hell, I would like to go to hell,” he added, as quoted by ANI. Javed Akhtar has been vocal on political and social issues, often attracting strong reactions online. Recently, he urged the Indian government to take stern action against Pakistan following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people. At the inauguration of the Glorious Maharashtra Festival, Akhtar said, “This has happened not just once but several times. I request that the Central Government take immediate steps. A few crackers on the border will not work. Take a solid step now. Do something so that the mad Army chief there (Pakistan), no sensible person can make a speech like he does.” “He says that Hindus and Muslims are different communities. He does not even care that there are Hindus in his country, too. So, do they have no respect? What kind of man is he? They should get a befitting reply so that they remember. They will not pay heed to anything less. I don't know much about politics. But I do know that it is time for 'aar ya paar',” he added. Following the attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 targeting what it described as terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 people.