Screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar expressed outrage over the warm reception given to Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during his visit to New Delhi, stating, “Hang my head in shame.” Muttaqi is on a six-day visit and is the first Taliban leader to visit India since the group took power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Akhtar criticised not only the Indian authorities for showing respect to a representative of what he called “the world’s worst terrorist group,” but also targeted Darul Uloom Deoband, accusing the influential seminary of giving Muttaqi a “reverent welcome” despite his role in banning girls’ education.
Javed Akhtar Expresses Anger
Akhtar’s anger highlights concerns over moral and ethical boundaries in diplomatic and social interactions. He questioned the message this reception sends to Indian citizens, especially in light of ongoing restrictions on education and rights in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.
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
