Javed Akhtar doesn't support burqa but pities the manliness of Hindu right-wing mob

The recent Hijab row in India has stirred a strong debate about religious intolerance in India. Footage has gone viral of one hijab-wearing student, Muskan Khan, being pursued by Hindu men yelling "Jai Shri Ram" (Hail Lord Ram) as she arrives at her college in the Karnataka town of Mandya, shouting "Allahu Akbar" in response.

The video started a discussion among the masses with many coming forward with their opinions. Bollywood actors, too, have shared their stances on the matter. While many artists have kept their usual take on the religious debate - by not addressing it at all - others shared their thoughts. 

Lyricist Javed Akhtar has tweeted, “I have never been in favour of Hijab or Burqa. I still stand by that but at the same time, I have nothing but deep contempt for these mobs of hooligans who are trying to intimidate a small group of girls and that too unsuccessfully. Is this their idea of 'manliness'. What a pity."

I have never been in favour of Hijab or Burqa. I still stand by that but at the same time I have nothing but deep contempt for these mobs of hooligans who are trying to intimidate a small group of girls and that too unsuccessfully. Is this their idea of “MANLINESS” . What a pity

— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) February 10, 2022

Actor Kangana Ranaut wrote in an Instagram Story, “If you want to show courage, show it by not wearing burqua in Afghanistan… Learn to break free, not cage yourself.” She was reacting to a tweet about how things had changed in Iran after the revolution, particularly for women.

Correct me if Im wrong but Afghanistan is a theocratic state and when I last checked India was a secular democratic republic ?!! pic.twitter.com/0bVUxK9Uq7

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) February 11, 2022

Responding directly to Kangana’s comment, Javed Akhtar’s wife, actor Shabana Azmi wrote in a tweet, “Correct me if I'm wrong but Afghanistan is a theocratic state and when I last checked India was a secular democratic republic?”

Earlier Kamal Haasan took to Twitter to condemn the act. He tweeted, "What is happening in Karnataka is provoking unrest. A religious poison wall is being erected among the students who are not lying. What is happening in the neighbouring state beyond the single wall should not come to Tamil Nadu. It is time for the progressive forces to be more careful."

On Tuesday, Richa Chadha shared a video of a woman wearing a hijab being singled out for intimidation by a group of men. Condemning the act, she wrote, "Raise your sons better! A bunch of ugly, cowards attacking a lone woman in a pack and feeling proud of it? What losers! Shameful. They'll be jobless, more frustrated and penniless in a few years. What a poor upbringing! No sympathy, no redemption for them."

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