Rajya Sabha witnessed the talks of one of the remarkable orators, writer, poet and thinker Javed Akhtar yesterday. The speech was remarkable because he took on Asaduddin Owaisi in Parliament over the Bharat Mata Ki Jai issue. Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), had asserted that he is not required by any law to praise the motherland by mouthing ’Bharat Mata ki jai‘. Owaisi had said that the constitution of India doesn’t command him to say Bharat Mata ki jai and no one can impose it on him, Javed Akhtar took on Owaisi indirectly calling him a leader in a mohalla in Hyderabad, India. Akhtar said, ” Owaisi said he will not say ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ as the constitution does not require him to say so. But, the same constitution does not ask him to wear Sherwani either.”
The eminent writer proudly said in Parliament, “I don’t even want to know if chanting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ is my duty. It is, in fact, my right to do so.” Saying this, Akhtar chanted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” thrice in Rajya Sabha. He condemned Owaisi and others who are causing a rift between Hindus and Muslims.
“Either we shall move ahead or move back,” he said. ”Democracy could never possible without secularism,” he added, further saying, “We are very blessed. We keep complaining, but we must be thankful for our Constitution, which gives us democracy,” he said in the Rajya Sabha while sharing his experiences in the upper house during the past six years. Javed Akhtar is retiring from Rajya Sabha after the current session.