Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Javed Akhtar Lashes Out at Pak President Over Hindu Remarks
Javed Akhtar is a famous Indian writer who creates movie stories and songs.
He was upset with Asif Ali Zardari, the President of Pakistan.
On Pakistan's Independence Day, Mr. Zardari talked about the Hindu people who live in Pakistan.
He said Muslims in Pakistan 'tolerate' the Hindu population, which he claimed makes up 3-4% of the country.
Mr. Akhtar thought the word 'tolerate' was not respectful, and wrote about it on the social media site X, formerly called Twitter.
He said Mr. Zardari had always been insensitive to people who make up less than 10% of the population.
Mr. Zardari is sometimes called 'Mr 10 Percent' because of corruption allegations.
Mr. Akhtar also said India has tried hard to be friends with Pakistan, but 'you can't clap with one hand.'
He said Pakistan, not India, has shown aggression, like in the 1965 Operation Gibraltar in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr. Zardari said Hindus in Pakistan are as free as anywhere else and would rather be with Pakistanis, while Indians have their own agenda.
Javed Akhtar criticized Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on X over his 'insensitive' remarks on Hindus in Pakistan.
Zardari said Pakistan's Muslim majority 'tolerates' its 3-4% Hindu population, who are 'as free, as good as anywhere else.'
Akhtar, referencing Zardari's 'Mr 10 Percent' reputation, said he has 'always being insensitive to all under the sun which is less than 10%.'
Akhtar reiterated that India made genuine efforts to improve ties, but 'you can't clap with one hand' since Pakistan made no solid efforts.
Akhtar cited Operation Gibraltar, Pakistan's covert 1965 operation in Jammu and Kashmir, as an example of Pakistani aggression.
- Who
- Javed Akhtar, Indian screenwriter and lyricist, and Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan
- What
- Akhtar publicly criticized Zardari for saying Pakistan's Muslims 'tolerate' its 3-4% Hindu population
- When
- Saturday, 15 August, after Zardari's Independence Day remarks surfaced on social media
- Where
- On X (formerly Twitter); Akhtar posted from Mumbai, India
- Why
- Akhtar considered the remarks insensitive and argued that Pakistan, not India, has been the aggressor in bilateral ties
Critics of Zardari's remarks
Zardari's position on Pakistan's Hindus
Treatment of Pakistan's Hindu minority
Critics of Zardari's remarks
Using 'tolerate' is insensitive because it suggests Hindus are merely endured, and India has always made genuine efforts to improve ties.
Zardari's position on Pakistan's Hindus
Hindus in Pakistan are as free and good as anywhere else, and they would rather be with Pakistan's Muslims than with Indians.
Responsibility for India-Pakistan conflict
Critics of Zardari's remarks
Despite India's rightful claim on Kashmir, India has never been the aggressor; aggression, including Operation Gibraltar, has always come from Pakistan.
Zardari's position on Pakistan's Hindus
Indians have a different point of view and their own agenda, including a belief in Akhand Bharat, which overlooks what lies in between.
- Critic
- Javed Akhtar, Indian screenwriter and lyricist
- Target of criticism
- Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan
- Platform
- X (formerly Twitter)
- Trigger
- Zardari's Independence Day remarks calling Hindus a 3-4% population that Muslims 'tolerate'
- Zardari's nickname
- Mr 10 Percent, over corruption allegations
- Zardari's presidency
- Sworn in as the 14th president of Pakistan in March 2024
- Historical reference
- Operation Gibraltar, Pakistan Army operation in Jammu and Kashmir, August 1965
- Government coalition
- PMLN and PPP formed a coalition after the February 2024 general election
