Criminal complaint filed against Javed Akhtar in Mumbai Court for 'RSS-Taliban' comment

A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker has filed a criminal defamation complaint against lyricist Javed Akhtar for his alleged defamatory comment comparing RSS to the Taliban..Mumbai based lawyer, Dhrutiman Joshi, has filed the complaint before the Metropolitan Magistrate at Kurla to initiate defamation proceedings against Akhtar. In a show discussing the recent takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban, Joshi claimed to have heard Akhtar draw parallels between the two organisations in order to defame and vilify the Hindus..Joshi stated that "statements made by the accused is well planned, thought and calculated defamatory statements to defame RSS and discourage, disparage and misguide the people who have joined RSS or who would like to join the RSS and belittle the RSS in the eyes of common public. There was a well planned motive of the accused to defame RSS.".Joshi added that being a "grassroot worker of RSS" he was humiliated and defamed in the "eyes of the common public" when such statements were made against the organisation. .He alleged that Akhtar's views were not backed by evidence. "Akhtar expressed his views without any proof and even after knowing that the highest democratically elected office bearers of the country like the incumbent President, Vice President, Prime Minister and several Cabinet Ministers and many incumbents and Ex Chief Ministers and their council of ministers in India have been supporters and members of RSS," the complaint stated.."Accused has desperately failed to prove that even one member or supporter of RSS has acted like Taliban and taken over a State or country undemocratically and if he has spotted a gun toting RSS supporter," Joshi complained..In conclusion to his allegations, Joshi submitted that the "shoot and scoot" statements were made by Akhtar to "promote his hate against RSS and nationalistic people who support RSS". .Joshi prayed for investigation for offences of defamation punishable under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code. The complaint will be heard by the Metropolitan Magistrate on October 30, 2021.