Javed Akhtar's response on Ramzan controversy: 'Totally disgusting'
Lyricist-screenwriter Javed Akhtar has responded to the controversy of General Elections being held during Ramzan and said that ‘it’s totally disgusting.’
Election Commission announced polling dates on March 10 where they said that voting would begin from April 11 and will go on until May 19. The results will be announced on May 23. But, the Ramzan is most probably to start in India from May 5 and it has irked some political leaders.
Javed Akhtar tweeted, “I find this whole discussion about Ramzan and elections totally disgusting . This is the kind of distorted and convoluted version of secularism that to me is repulsive , revolting and intolerable . EC shouldn’t consider it for a second.”
I find this whole discussion about Ramzan and elections totally disgusting . This is the kind of distorted and convoluted version of secularism that to me is repulsive , revolting and intolerable . EC shouldn’t consider it for a second .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) March 11, 2019
It was West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee who had raised concerns after the EC announced poll dates and she said that it would impact the Muslim vote bank.
Although, rejecting such arguments and saying that all Muslims will vote and the vote share might increase, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi rejected such remarks and called it an “unnecessary controversy.”
“Fasting is obligatory on Muslims. We cook, work, clean and take care of our families while fasting. It's an insult to Muslims to say that Ramzan will affect our voting. In Ramzan, Shaitan is enchained - inshallah one will use their vote to defeat his agents,” tweeted Owaisi.
Alleging that BJP “doesn't want minorities to cast their votes,” TMC leader Firhad Hakim has said that they respect the decision of the Election Commission but voice their concern regarding the clash with Ramzan dates.
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First published: 12 March 2019, 14:13 IST