Renowned Bollywood lyricist and former Rajya Sabha MP, Javed Akhtar, attended the Deepotsav program organized by MNS Chief Raj Thackeray in Mumbai on November 9th. Despite being an atheist, Javed expressed deep respect for Lord Rama and Sita, emphasizing their significance in India’s cultural heritage.
Addressing the gathering, Javed praised the Hindu community for their tolerance, attributing the existence of democracy in India to Hindu culture and tradition. He urged attendees not to lose the generous and large-hearted qualities of Hindu culture, emphasizing the importance of learning from the Hindu way of living.
While sitting alongside lyricist partner Salim Khan and Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh, Akhtar stated, “I am proud to have been born in the land of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita.” He encouraged the audience to chant ‘Jai Siya Ram’ slogans, symbolizing love and unity.
Akhtar reminisced about his childhood in Lucknow, highlighting the common practice of people greeting each other with “Jai Siya Ram.” He declared that thinking of Sita and Rama separately is a sin and urged everyone to chant ‘Jai Siya Ram’ together.
Despite his past controversies, Javed’s recent gesture has garnered attention and applause. However, some individuals remain cautious, questioning whether this is an authentic display or a sugar-coated attempt to shape and guilt-trip Hindus into perceived tolerance.
The event photos and a viral video of Javed Akhtar chanting ‘Jai Siya Ram’ have circulated on social media, sparking discussions about the role of cultural unity and respect for diverse beliefs.
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