Javed Akhtar, one of India’s most liberal and free-thinking thinkers and artists, has spoken out strongly against the Taliban’s new laws that legalize domestic violence. The Taliban have reportedly legalized wife beating, provided no bones are broken.
Javed Akhtar condemns Taliban for legalizing domestic violence
Reacting to the inhuman support of violence, Javed Saab said, “The impunity with which this so-called law legitimizes violence is shocking, not for them (Taliban) but for us. I urge the muftis and mullahs of India to condemn it unconditionally, because all this is being done in the name of their religion. Whatever may be the reason for this barbaric decree, let us not give it any credit.”
Javed Saab emphasized that human values and basic decency cannot be compromised. “This is not about religion; it is about human decency. Endorsing violence in any form and I include films in this should be condemned by all right-thinking human beings.”
Speaking about violence in cinema, he said, “We (Salim Khan and I) have never condemned or glorified any kind of violence, not even violence against women. Female characters in our scripts, whether it is a blockbuster film cinder or fail Iman DharamTreated with due respect and honor. Cinema has a big responsibility to present the right values towards the society. And by ‘rights’ I mean those values that give dignity, respect and voice to all sections of society.’
