Thane Court Issues Notice To Javed Akhtar On Defamation Suit Over RSS-Taliban Remark

The Joint Civil Judge (Senior Division) Thane, Maharashtra on Monday issued notice to Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar in a defamation Suit filed against him over his remarks comparing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) with the Taliban.

Plaintiff, Vivek Champanerkar has sought a nominal compensation of Re. 1 from Javed Akhtar.

The Court ordered issuance of the notice returnable on November 12.

Javed Akhtar had triggered a controversy earlier this month when he told a news channel that "The Taliban want an Islamic country. These people want to make a Hindu Rashtra".

Advocate Aditya Mishra, who appeared for the Plaintiff, argued at length in the court and contended that the Defendant (Akhtar) had made "derogatory" remarks against the RSS while appearing in a show of a private news channel.

He argued that Akhtar's remarks "drawing a parallel between barbaric Taliban and organisations working for the Hindu cause" were aimed at vilifying such outfits.

In the Plaint, Plaintiff has averred that the statements made by the Defendant were aimed at belittling the RSS in the eyes of the common public.

"The defendant uttered unfounded, false and baseless allegations against the organisation of Plaintiff in the said show," Advocate Aditya Mishra argued.

Last week, a criminal case for defamation was also been filed against Javed Akhtar before a Magistrate Court at Kurla, Maharashtra by Advocate Dhrutiman Joshi, with respect to the same remark of Javed Akhtar. That case is set to be heard on October, 30.

With PTI inputs