Javed Akhtar trained social media users for comparing Mughals to Jews. Imtiaz Mahmood, a social media commentator who is often critical of Islam, posted a tweet that went viral.
“Jews are occupiers in Jerusalem but Mughals are natives in Mathura. J*hadi Logic,” wrote Imtiaz Mahmood, a social media commentator who is often critical of Islam. He describes himself as an atheist.
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The tweet went viral, garnering more than 2 million views in three days. Imtiaz Mahmood compared two contentious issues: Jerusalem and Mathura.
He scoffed at pro-Palestinian claims that Jews are “occupiers” in Jerusalem despite their long ties to the city. At the same time, he criticized those who defend the Mughals as “natives” of India despite their Central Asian origins. Imtiaz Mahmood was apparently referring to the dispute between a mosque and a temple in Mathura.
Javed Akhtar responded to the tweet without speaking.
“You must have been a very bad student not only of history but also of mathematics. If you can’t tell the difference between almost three and a half centuries of the Middle Ages and 75 years of the 20th century, you should go back to school,” wrote Javed Akhtar.
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“Btw, you also need a lesson or two on secularism, which means keeping an equal distance from all kinds of religious/communal prejudices. But then it takes a bit of guts,” he added.
Javed Akhtar, also a self-described atheist, consistently calls religious “double standards.” He had earlier praised Mughal Emperor Akbar for his secular approach.
Javed Akhtar on Akbar
In an interview with The Lallantop, Javed Akhtar praised Emperor Akbar as one of the greatest rulers in world history. He mentioned that Time magazine once listed the 100 greatest leaders. The list included only two Indians, Mahatma Gandhi and Akbar.
At a time when Europe was still divided by religious violence, Akbar promoted harmony and equality among all faiths, according to Javed Akhtar.
“He built the Ibadat Khan, where Christians, Islamic scholars and Hindu Brahmins debated together. He even allowed a church to be built in Agra, the first in north India,” Akhtar said.
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Akbar’s son Murad once asked for a book to understand life and the world. Akbar sent him the Mahabharata, according to Javed Akhtar.
According to Akhtar, Akbar held Indian culture in high esteem. At his direction, the Mahabharata was translated into Persian so that it could be shared throughout Asia.
Akhtar recalled that Mughal queens like Harka Bai (better known as Jodha Bai) and Jagat Gosain were Rajputs who retained their traditions and faith.
“They were cremated, not buried,” Akhtar said.
“Javed Akhtar” was of interest on Google India during 25-26 October High:
Interest in ‘Javed Akhtar’ was high on Google India during 25-26 October
