Veteran poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar, who attended a Deepotsav programme organised by Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in Mumbai, praised the Hindu community for being tolerant at the event.
He added that ‘democracy exists in India because of Hindu culture and tradition’.
Akhtar said that Hindus are generous and large-hearted.
‘There are some people who have always been intolerant. Hindus are not like that. They have this great quality - generous and large-hearted. Don't lose that, else you will become like others,’ he said.
Akhtar also said, ‘We have learned from Hindus' way of living. Will you leave that?’
Javed Akhtar further said that he was proud to have been born in the land of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita and said he considers them to be the wealth of this country.
‘This is Hindu culture, this is civilisation. It has taught us democratic attitudes. That's why there is democracy in this country. Thinking that we are right and everyone else is wrong is not the work of Hindus. Whoever taught you this is wrong,’ he said.
Noted screenwriter Salim Khan, one half of the legendary Salim-Javed duo who wrote some of the most iconic Bollywood films, including 'Sholay', was seated beside his former partner.
Actor-filmmaker Riteish Deshmukh was also present at the event.
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