Sanjay Raut lashes out at Javed Akhtar for comparing RSS, VHP to Taliban

Mumbai, Sept 6: After lyricist Javed Akhtar compared Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) to Taliban, he has faced many backlash from various organizations. Similarly, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday said 'the comparison of any of India's organisations to the Taliban is condemnable'.

 

 

Raut said, "Today we have written it in Saamana. The comparison of any India's organisations to the Taliban is condemnable. India is a democratic country. The depraved mentality of the Taliban will never be acceptable here. People here struggle and fight back. Opposition parties in our country have seen emergency also."

 

Shiv Sena, in its editorial mouthpiece 'Saamana', slammed Akhtar saying, "Nowadays one is comparing anyone with Taliban as the outfit is the biggest threat to society and mankind. Countries like Pakistan and China where democracy doesn't exist are backing the Taliban in Afghanistan because human rights have no place in these countries. But India is a democratic country and respects an individual's freedom so it is erroneous to compare RSS with the Taliban. India is tremendously tolerant in every way."

 

 

"For organisations like RSS and VHP, Hindutva is a culture. They want the rights of Hindus should not be suppressed. Moreover, it has never imposed any restrictions on women's rights. But the situation in Afghanistan is heart-wrenching. Many fled from their own country in fear, the rights of women are being suppressed," the editorial claimed.

 

Shiv Sena said that Javed Akhtar is known for his outspoken statements and has several times attacked extremist views of Muslim society, yet we do not accept the comparison of the Sangh with the Taliban.

 

"Most of the population of the country is secular and respects each other religious views. We cannot accept the 'Talibani ideology'. In spite of the fact that India being home to a majority of the Hindu population, it is a proud secular country," Shiv Sena said.

 

 

In order to raise voices against such allegations by the lyricist, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a protest against Akhtar outside his residence in Mumbai. Akhtar had said that organizations like RSS, VHP, and Bajrang Dal also have the same objective as the Taliban. He said, “Whether it is Muslim right-wing, Christian right-wing, or Hindu right-wing, there is a commonality among them all over the world. What the Taliban wants is to create an Islamic country. These people are trying to create a Hindu state."

He said further said, “Those who support organizations like RSS and Bajrang Dal need to do some introspection. How are they any different from them (Taliban)?”