Lyricist Javed Akhtar terms CAA, an assault on secularism

Kolhapur: Voicing against Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), renowned lyrics and thinker Javed Akhtar has said that the act was an assault to secularism and integrity of India and with the ongoing protests, the nation had reached a threshold for an another struggle.Mr Akhtar said the newly amended citizenship act was a plot to split the country.

Mr Javed said that communalism has a deep root in India and it spread after the formation of Hindu Mahasabha and Muslim League in British India. "Muslim league got Pakistan but Hindu Mahasabha is still unsatisfied," he alleged and added that BJP was now 'working as a branch of RSS' and trying to 'split the country' through NRC.

He questioned how people specially 'adivasi' will provide 15 evidences for the citizenship."If they failed to provide these proofs, then the government deny the citizenship," he stated.

Mr Akhtar also criticised All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen(AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan's recent controversial statement.While speaking during an anti-CAA gathering in Karnataka, Mr Pathan allegedly said, "15 crore will be heavy on 100 crore".

By making such kind of statements, Pathan shows that he has a mindset of Muslim League, the writer said.

"Who has given a contract of 15 crore Muslims? After getting independence, the mindset of Muslm League is not changed, the best example is Varis Pathan," he stated.

An event "Smruti Jagar Sabha" was organised to remember Com Govind Pansare.  "India on threshold of new Independence'' was one of the topic discussed.(UNI)