Padmavati row: FIR lodged against Javed Akhtar for allegedly insulting Rajputs

An FIR (First Information Report) has been filed against celebrated script writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar for allegedly insulting the Rajput community and inciting communal hatred. The complaint was lodged at the Sindhi Camp Police Station in Jaipur, as per reports. 

Akhtar, while speaking in support of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati, had questioned the claims of 'honour' and 'valour' by the Rajputs.

While talking to television news channel, Aaj Tak, from the Lucknow Literary Festival, Akhtar had said that the Rajputs remained pawns of the British for 200 years. “The Rajputs and the Rajwadas never fought against the British and now they are taking to the streets against a film and a filmmaker. All these ‘ranas’ ‘rajas’ and ‘maharajas’ of Rajasthan were serving in the courts of the British for 200 years. Where did their Rajput honour and valour go that time? They have become what they are since they had accepted to serve the British,” he had said. 

Soon, Mahipal Singh Makrana of the Rajput Karni Sena lashed out at Akhtar, threatening that the writer will be beaten up if he enters the state of Rajasthan.

“He has lost our respect. From now on he is banned in Rajasthan and if he dares we will thrash him on the streets. Rajputs and Rajwadas have sacrificed their lives and he is mocking our history and saying we were serving the British. He does not deserve ‘Padharo mhare des’  treatment anymore. He speaks a lot in literature festivals and next time we are not going to allow him to even come to Jaipur and speak,” he said.