Bollywood screenwriter Javed Akhtar, known for his outspoken views on various issues, recently confronted a social media troll who labeled him a ‘son of a Gaddar (traitor).’ Akhtar had posted a sarcastic comment about Joe Biden in the context of the upcoming US Presidential Elections 2024.
“I am a proud Indian citizen and till my last breath I will remain so but I have one common fact with Joe Biden. Both of us have exactly equal chance of becoming the next president of USA,” Akhtar tweeted.
In response, a social media user accused Akhtar’s father of playing a role in the partition of India to create Pakistan, suggesting that Akhtar’s family background was against India’s interests. The user wrote, “Your father was instrumental in making Pakistan in order to have a nation just for Muslims, then in the guise of progressive writer he chose to remain in India. You are a son of Gaddar who divided our nation on the lines of religion. Now you say anything but this is the truth.”
Akhtar responded fiercely, defending his family’s legacy of patriotism and their active role in India’s freedom movement. He wrote, “It is difficult to decide whether you are totally ignorant or a complete idiot. From 1857 my family has been involved with the freedom movement and has gone to jails and Kala Pani when most probably your baap-dadas were licking the boots of Angrez Sarkar.”