Famous Indian lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar strongly reacted to the warm welcome given to Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in India. He said he felt deeply ashamed.
Amir Khan Muttaqi is on a six-day visit to India, marking the first official visit by a Taliban leader since the group regained power in 2021.
Javed Akhtar expressed his disappointment on social media, saying he feels ashamed to see representatives of one of the world’s most dangerous terrorist groups being respected by the same people who often speak against terrorism.
I hang my head in shame when I see the kind of respect and reception has been given to the representative of the world’s worst terrorists group Taliban by those who beat the pulpit against all kind of terrorists . Shame on Deoband too for giving such a reverent welcome to their “…
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) October 13, 2025
Javed Akhtar also criticized the Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband in Uttar Pradesh, saying that it should be ashamed for welcoming a man as a religious hero who supports a complete ban on girls’ education.
It is important to note that Amir Khan Muttaqi was given special permission to travel despite being under UN sanctions. During his visit, a controversy also arose when female journalists were barred from attending a press conference. The Taliban foreign minister later claimed it was only a technical issue and not a deliberate act.
How I wish that the sharp witted women journalists like Anjana Om Kashyap , Chitra , Navika and Rubika could attend the first press conference of that woman hater Talibani who was the official guest of our secular country but Alas …
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) October 14, 2025