The Idea Of Taliban Can't Appeal To Any Indian, Says Lyricist Javed Akhtar

Poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar, while speaking to NDTV, said that those who are supporting the Taliban are a "miniscule of the Muslim population of our nation". He also said that the "right wing ideology is also repressive".

Here are the highlights:

Uncanny resemblance between Taliban and people who want to become like Taliban

Ironically, the right-wing use this to promote themselves with an aim to become the exact same as what they are opposing - that is an interesting observation

I don't remember their statement verbatim, but by-and-large the sentiment was that they welcomed the return of Taliban in Afghanistan. But these people are 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. The right-wing across the world want same things. Just like 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

This is kind of a dress-rehearsal for becoming like full-fledged Taliban

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

This country is basically a secular country. The idea of Taliban can't appeal to an Indian

India is a secular nation and the people, the population is largely secular, but there are those who support organisations like the RSS and VHP and people like Golwalkar, etc, who have the same ideology that of the Nazis of the 1930s

The Taliban may be more empowered with weapons, but the view, outlook, and ideology are mirroring each other

They must not have reached their goals yet but I want to know that what is the difference between their goals and the goals of Taliban

Moderate mindset people are scattered. 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

There is more than what meets the eye. In Afghanistan the manner in which the Taliban took over in a matter of weeks looks too staged. When there was a sizeable army, how did mobs in cars and trucks suddenly take over cities so very easily. There must be a collusion between the US, their puppet government and the Taliban. There is more that what we see. Like I said, it seems too staged

The situation in Afghanistan is not good for India. For us, it is a no-win situation. If we don't engage them, then in the entire region we become isolated and cut-off. And if we talk to them, then it will be seen as an endorsement to them and give them legitimacy. So, it is a no-win situation for India

If we don't engage them then there is also a problem of serious threat since they have a very large army of terrorists, and that will pose big security concerns for India. We need to look at our geopolitical and strategic interests too