Javed Akhtar's films won't be screened unless he apologises to RSS: BJP spokesperson

In an interview with NDTV, Akhtar had drawn a comparison between the Taliban and "those who want a Hindu Rashtra", apparently referring to the RSS.

Kadam said that the functionaries of these organisation served the poorest of the poor and by drawing a parallel with the militant group, the poet lyricist has insulted them.

"This statement by Javed Akhtar is not just shameful, but painful and humiliating for crores of functionaries of the Sangh and the Vishva Hindu Parishad and crores of people across the world who follow their ideology," Kadam said in a video message that he also shared on Twitter.

"Before making these remarks, he should have thought that people with the same ideology are running the government now, are fulfilling raj dharma. If the ideology was Talibani, would he have been able to make these remarks? This shows how hollow his statements are," the BJP spokesperson said.

"We will not allow any of his films to run in this land of Ma Bharti till he apologises with folded hands to the functionaries of the Sangh who have dedicated their lives to the nation," Kadam, who is MLA from Ghatkopar West, said.

"Just like the Taliban want an Islamic State, there are those who want a Hindu Rashtra. These people are of the same mindset -- be it Muslim, Christian, Jews or Hindus," Akhtar had said in the interview, according to NDTV.

"Of course, the Taliban is barbaric, and their actions are reprehensible, but those supporting the RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal are all the same," he had said.

Asked to comment over some Muslim leaders welcoming the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, Akhtar said they were "a miniscule of the Muslim population of our nation".

"Most of the Muslims I spoke to were shocked and appalled that such statements were made by some. Today, most young Muslims in India want a good job and a good education for their children in good schools. But on the other hand, there are some who want to believe in this kind of regressive thinking -- where men and women are segregated, where regressive mindset is promoted. But like I said, these people are a handful, so let them say what they want, they will not achieve it," Akhtar told NDTV in the interview.

He added, "I have total faith in the basic sensibility of an average Indian. The majority of this nation is extremely decent and tolerant. That must be respected. India will never become a Talibani country."