Lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar recently found himself in a heated exchange with a social media user on X (formerly Twitter) who called him a ‘son of gaddar (son of a traitor)’. The controversy began with a lighthearted tweet by Akhtar, where he declared himself a proud Indian citizen “till my last breath.” He humorously pointed out a commonality with US President Joe Biden, jesting that both of them ‘have an exactly equal chance of becoming the next president of USA.’
However, things took a serious turn when a social media user commented on the post, shaming Akhtar’s father, alleging his involvement in the Partition of India and branding him a traitor. He wrote, “Your father was instrumental in making Pakistan in order to have a nation just for Muslims, then in the guise of progressive writer he chose to remain in India. You are a son of Gaddar who divided our nation on d lines of religion. Now u say any thing but this is the truth.”
Javed called the troll a ‘complete idiot’ and gave him a brief about his family’s rich lineage. He highlighted their long-standing involvement in India’s freedom movement since 1857. Akhtar detailed how his ancestors faced imprisonment and endured Kala Pani (jailed at Andaman’s Cellular Jail) for their efforts. He wrote, “It is difficult to decide whether you are totally ignorant or a complete idiot . From 1857 my family has been involved with freedom movement n has gone to jails and Kala paani when most probably your baap dadas were licking the boots of Angrez sarkar.”
It is difficult to decide whether you are totally ignorant or a complete idiot . From 1857 my family has been involved with freedom movement n has gone to jails and Kala paani when most probably your baap dadas were licking the boots of Angrez sarkar
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) July 6, 2024
When another person argued that his forefathers fought for the reestablishment of the Mughal rule, the writer responded, “My great great grand father FAZLE Haq Khairabadi was send to Andaman in 1859 from kolkata by a ship called fire queen . There he wrote a book “ baghi Hindustan” . Now it is being translated in English . His grave is in Andaman. Google him.”
My great great grand father FAZLE Haq Khairabadi was send to Andaman in 1859 from kolkata by a ship called fire queen . There he wrote a book “ baghi Hindustan” . Now it is being translated in English . His grave is in Andaman . Google him .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) July 7, 2024
Javed Akhtar’s father, Jan Nisar Akhtar, was a Bollywood film songwriter and Urdu poet and a part of the Progressive Writers’ Movement. Javed’s great-great-grandfather, Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi, was an activist in the Indian independence movement who campaigned against British occupation. He was given life imprisonment in the Andaman Islands, where he stayed for 22 months in captivity before passing away in 1864.
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