On February 18, controversial lyrics writer Javed Akhtar attended Faiz Festival in Pakistan. As per reports, he was head of the Indian delegate that went to the poverty-hit country for the festival. He took part in the Mushaira and launched his new book at the event.
Faiz Festival was a three-day event scheduled for February 17 to February 19. It was organised by the Alhamra Arts Council of Lahore, Pakistan. Unlike the previous years, the events were free this year, most probably due to the economic crisis in the country. However, a senior official said the “free” factor was due to the fact that the last instalment of the festival did not get a response, and the attendees were unhappy with the ticket price.
Indians react to Akhtar’s Pakistan visit
As the reports went out that Akhtar was in Pakistan, Indians reacted and requested Pakistanis to keep him there.
Twitter user Desi Mojito said, “Javed Akhtar is in Pakistan to attend the Faiz festival. End of the day, their religion is above the country they live in.”
Javed Akhtar is in Pakistan to attend Faiz festival.
— desi mojito 🇮🇳 (@desimojito) February 19, 2023
End of the day their religion is above the country they live in.
Twitter user Dilip Jain requested MEA Dr S Jaishankar to cancel his return visa. He said, “@DrSJaishankar Javed Akhtar ka return visa cancel kar dijiye. Rahne do iss aasteen ke saanp ko apne bil (pakistan) mein.”
@DrSJaishankar Javed Akhtar ka return visa cancel kar dijiye. Rahne do iss aasteen ke saanp ko apne bil (pakistan) mein.
— Dilip Jain | दिलीप जैन 🇮🇳 (@dilipjain1979) February 18, 2023
Twitter user Sanskar said, “Hopefully, this Hinduphobic POS @javedakhtar stays there and asks his wife to get used to wearing black tent on her.”
Hopefully this Hinduphobic POS @javedakhtar stays there and asks his wife to get used to wearing black tent on her.
— SansKar 🇺🇸 (@Yugantar141) February 18, 2023
Twitter user BesuraTaansane questioned if it was his “Ghar Wapsi”, to which Twitter user Itihasa_history said, “Hope #JavedAkhtar stays back in #Pakistan for good.
Hope #JavedAkhtar stays back in #Pakistan for good.
— Itihāsa इतिहास Historia История הִיסטוֹרִיָה (@itihasa_history) February 18, 2023
Interestingly, it appears even Pakistanis did not want Javed Akhtar in their country. Pakistani Twitter user Maria Sartaj said, “An anti-Muslim atheist. A writer who has mocked Pakistan many times on Indian prime time debates continually gets invited to Pakistan. We really have no self-respect as people.”
An anti-Muslim atheist. A writer who has mocked Pakistan many times on Indian prime time debates continually gets invited to Pakistan.
— Maria Sartaj (@MariaSartaj) February 18, 2023
We really have no self-respect as people. https://t.co/lvUD10Pq7W
Twitter user Getting Older said, “May those Pakistanis who are blind enough to love javed akhtar, end up with him. Aameen. Among other things he was one of the biggest voice against Pakistani artists working in Indian film industry.”
May those Pakistanis who are blind enough to love javed akhtar, end up with him. Aameen. Among other things he was one of the biggest voice against Pakistani artists working in Indian film industry.
— getting older (@OlderGetting) February 18, 2023
Didn’t expect this from you @AzamJamil53
Who was Faiz Ahmad Faiz?
Faiz Ahmad Faiz was a Pakistani poet. He was born on February 13, 1914, and died on November 20, 1984. Faiz Ahmad Faiz‘s poem “Hum Dekhienge” is often used by so-called liberals and intellectuals. The infamous poem has subtle Hinduphobic rants that have often raised eyebrows.
