Hindu caste system has created false lineage for Muslims: Javed Akhtar

Writer claims Muslims are forced into considering themselves outsiders

KOLKATA: Renowned poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar believes it is the Hindu caste system that has forced Muslims to live under a false lineage, he said at the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet on Friday.
"You ask an average Muslim, what is your lineage? They will say 'My great great grandfather used to sell dry fruits in Basra, Iraq'. So they are willing to come from Afghanistan also, but right on Khyber Pass they stopped coming," Akhtar said while speaking at a session revolving around Islamophobia, which means dislike of or prejudice against Islam or Muslims.



"Why do they stop coming," he continued. "It is because of Hindu caste system. If he accepts my grandfather got converted in Punjab which he did, they (Hindus) will ask you what was your father before the conversion. It is Hindu caste system which has made him create a false lineage," said Akhtar, who took the session by storm with his passionate speech.
Akhtar, who proclaims to have no religion and is an atheist, said 90 % Muslims in India are converts.



"They say 'You are an invader, you have come from outside'. They say they have come from Ghaznavi. The fact is that they have not. The fact is 90 % of Muslims are converts. But they are accused of being the outsiders. And they say 'Yes, we are outsiders'."
Questioning the meaning of stereotype, Akhtar said "we tend to stereotype people in every field. But as long as it is benign it's okay, the problem starts when it becomes malignant".

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