BJP Slams Javed Akhtar for Criticizing Welcome to Afghan Foreign Minister

Noted lyricist Javed Akhtar has been criticized by the BJP for his remarks on the Union government's decision to welcome Afghanistan's foreign minister and Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi. Akhtar said India has bowed down in shame after welcoming Muttaqi, citing the country's treatment of women and girls. BJP spokesperson Niranjan Shetty defended the move, stating that it is part of India's evolving foreign policy and not a reflection of a permanent allegiance to any nation.

Key Takeaways:

Javed Akhtar criticized the Union government's decision to welcome Afghanistan's foreign minister and Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Akhtar stated that India has bowed down in shame after welcoming Muttaqi, citing the country's treatment of women and girls.
BJP spokesperson Niranjan Shetty defended the move, stating that it is part of India's evolving foreign policy and not a reflection of a permanent allegiance to any nation.
Shetty accused Akhtar of double standards, citing his previous reactions to Pakistani terrorist attacks on Indian soil.
The BJP spokesperson also pointed out that Afghanistan's recent attack on Pakistan's military posts and the capture of 25 Pakistani soldiers has shamed Pakistan, leading to a change in India's stance towards Afghanistan.
According to Shetty, India's foreign policy is based on changing global political equations, and relationships are made or broken accordingly.
Akhtar's tweet expressing outrage over the welcome given to Muttaqi has been seen as a criticism of the BJP-led government's policy towards Afghanistan.
The BJP has accused Akhtar of being a supporter of Pakistan's interests in India.

Statistics:

25 Pakistani military posts were captured by Afghanistan in response to Pakistan's recent air strike.
58 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the retaliatory attack.
No statistics on the number of detractors or supporters of Pakistan's interests in India mentioned in the article.
No specific numbers on the number of girls denied education in Afghanistan or the number of women tortured.

Sources:

"BJP slams Javed Akhtar for criticising government's welcome to Afghan foreign minister, Taliban leader", Indian Express, 2025.
"India welcomes Afghan Taliban delegation, Javed Akhtar, Congress slam move", India Today, 2025.
"Pakistan army gets befitting reply after territorial attack, 25 posts captured by Kabul", The Economic Times, 2025.
"Javed Akhtar, BJP leaders trade barbs over Afghanistan remarks", Business Standard, 2025.