Javed Akhtar Doubts Political Reconciliation Between India and Pakistan: ‘It’s a Bit Late’

Javed Akhtar Doubts Political Reconciliation Between India and Pakistan: As tensions between India and Pakistan escalated recently over Operation Sindoor, a section of social media users criticised Bollywood celebrities for maintaining silence on the issue. Accusations flew that the stars, who are often vocal on other matters, refrained from commenting on the situation. In response, celebrated Bollywood lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar hit back at such critics, defending the industry and questioning the expectations placed on the celebrities.

During an interview with Lallantop, Akhtar addressed the allegations. "I do speak up. I've always spoken. Sometimes people don't like what I say, sometimes they do. But I say what I believe is true," he said.

He pointed out that while some Bollywood figures are politically active, others may simply be focused on their work. "If someone isn't speaking, so what? The country is speaking. Many people are. Some are busy making more money or building their name. Let them."

Akhtar emphasized the trauma faced by both sides after Partition, stating that early efforts to unite refugees could have fostered understanding. He acknowledged the complexities of geopolitical tensions, worsened by vested interests in Pakistan, hindering peace initiatives.

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Despite strained ties following incidents like the Pahalgam attack, Akhtar praised India's diplomatic and cultural attempts for peace, contrasting them with the actions of Pakistan's political and military forces.

“It is a bit late in the day for reconciliation. Our people in India only knew what happened to them after 1947-48. The people over there knew what happened with them. If only all of them had sat together once…. It has been 75 years, they would be in their 90s now. How many of them would even be alive?” he said at the launch of a book titled “Farewell Karachi”, written by film critic-author Bhawana Somaaya.

Akhtar said the governments of the two countries should have brought together refugees from both sides in the early or mid-1950s and let them share their stories.

“Only then would we have truly known what happened to whom and what kind of atrocities were faced by how many people. It would not have remained one-sided. But this did not happen. Anyway, the situation in the near future, I do not think, will get much better politically,” the 80-year-old writer said.

Javed criticised vested interest groups in Pakistan, particularly the army, the political establishment and the extreme right wing, for blocking peace efforts between the two nations.

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"There are crores of people in Pakistan today who want better relations with India -- not just because some are genuinely good people, but because many are drawn to India's scale and progress -- its big corporations, opportunities, cinema, business, IT, and industrial growth.

"They are fascinated by the kind of research and development happening here. That is why a common person or a student from there aspires to come to India and be part of that world. But unfortunately, this is not in the interest of Pakistan's army, establishment, or right wing. That is the real issue," he said.

"Our Army is very professional, they are not at all political. But it is not like that there (Pakistan). People say every country has an army, and the Pakistani army has a country. So this is the difference," he said.

"This does not mean that we do not have bad people here, and we have never done anything wrong. But the truth is that in this matter, the Indian government has been better than the Pakistani government in the last 70 years," he added.

Despite the tensions, Javed said India has never acted in an "aggressive" way.

"There is such a big dispute in Kashmir.... In spite of our claim, we have never been aggressive. In fact, many people complain, 'Why are you not aggressive?' We are not that. So the aggression has always been from that side. So this is not right," he said.

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