Pakistani celebs slam Javed Akhtar's comment, question 'self respect' of those applauding him: Ghar mein aake beizzat...

Javed Akhtar spoke about how terrorists behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks still roam free in Pakistan, as he attended an event in Lahore recently. While the statement made by the lyricist and screenwriter was lauded by many in India, including actor Kangana Ranaut, it has left many Pakistani celebs such as Saboor Aly, Shaan Shahid and Anoushey Ashraf furious. Also read: Javed Akhtar shares reaction to his 26/11 Mumbai attacks remark at Pakistan event

The fact that Javed was invited to an event held in his honour, after his alleged anti-Pakistan statement at the recent literary event in Lahore, did not sit well with the celebs, who questioned the 'self-respect' of those Pakistanis, who showered Javed with immense respect and happily cheered for him despite him 'insulting' the country while being on its soil.

In a series of notes she shared on Instagram Stories on Tuesday, actor Saboor Aly wrote, "Koi apne ghar mein aa kar beizzat kar ke ja raha hai upse khushi se shor machaya ja raha hai aur phir qadmoun mein baitha ja raha hae (Someone has insulted your country on your own soil, and you are celebrating him, honouring him with such joy, sitting at his feet). What a shame!"

She further wrote in Urdu, "All the educated illiterate – the so-called niche – you never gave the same respect to your own talent. There were so many artists in this country that didn’t even have money to afford healthcare at the end of their lives. Where were all of these appreciators of talent back then?”

Actor Shaan Shahid took a dig at Javed Akhtar's Pakistan comment at the recent event, and said the lyricist-writer remained silent about the Gujarat riots, but was accusing Pakistan of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, while sitting in Pakistan. The actor further asked who issued a visa to Javed so he could come to Pakistan. He tweeted on Wednesday, "Inko Gujarat mein musalmanoon ke qatil ka tu pata hai lekin yeh khamosh hain... aur ab yeh sahab Pakistan main 26/11 ke mulzimoon ko dhoond rahay hain. Isko visa kis ne dia (He is quiet about those who killed Muslims in Gujarat, but wants to find those behind Mumbai attacks in Pakistan. Who gave him a visa to visit the country)?"

Actor-VJ Anoushey Ashraf tweeted, “Giving respect to a guest is essential. But never at the cost of your self-respect. The way some were hanging off javed akhtar sb’s leg in admiration was a tad bit extra willingness to please. Maybe he’d be weary of his words if we’d shown him the dignity we have (or lack?)” Actor Haroon Shahid also tweeted about Javed's Pakistan visit. He said, "Saab (sir) attends a party here or is hosted by whosoever feels like they want to have fun with him but the problem that I have is about how we as a nation fail to see how we're being used. Sadly, it will go on till we give our people the business and respect!" He also tweeted, "To my fellow Pakistani's PLEASE STAND UP FOR YOUR COUNTRY!"

In the recent clip from Lahore, which was also shared by Kangana Ranaut on Twitter, Javed Akhtar was seen addressing a gathering at the recent Faiz Festival, where he spoke about the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, and said in Urdu, “The attackers weren’t from Norway, or from Egypt. They are still present in your country, so you should not be offended if an Indian complains about this.”