Javed Akhtar slams Pakistan president for ‘tolerate Hindus’ remark

Lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has criticised Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari for saying that Muslims in Pakistan 'tolerate' the country's Hindu population. Taking a dig at Zardari, Akhtar called him 'Mr 10 per cent', referencing the president's alleged insensitivity to anything below that threshold.

India TV News reports that Akhtar's remark drew attention to Zardari's comments made during a recent speech. The Pakistani president had used the word 'tolerate' while describing the status of Hindus, a minority community in the Islamic republic, sparking debate about their treatment.

Akhtar, a prominent Indian poet and lyricist, has been vocal on social and political issues. His retort is the latest in a series of cross-border exchanges between Indian and Pakistani figures over minority rights and governance in the two countries.