Video: Watch Javed Akhtar taking on both Asaduddin Owaisi and Hindu fringe in terrific Rajya Sabha speech - Bharat Mata ki Jai, but don't target Muslims

He also ridiculed Asaduddin Owaisi saying he was just a mohalla leader (video below)

March 16, 2016, NewsCrunch

Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar, who is retiring from Rajya Sabha as a nominated member, deleivered a memorable speech slamming AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi for saying he would not say Bharat Mata ki Jai.

He did not spare the Hindu fringe elements either for  targeting Muslims.

Asaduddin Owaisi had said recently that he would not chant Bharat Mata ki Jai even if a knife was held to his throat as it had not been mandated by the constitution.

Responding to Owaisi’s remark, Akhtar said, “the Constitution even does not ask him to wear sherwani (dress) and topi (cap)… I don’t care if saying ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ is my duty or not, it is my right.” He then chanted ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ a few times.
Akhtar also condemned right-wing extremists, who say Muslims should go to Pakistan. He said  “fringe” elements were rising and emphasised the need to protect securalism to save democracy and the Constitution.

India should preserve its deep-rooted democracy at any cost and learn from the mistakes of those countries which tried to follow a single religion, he said.

Adjournaments and polarisation would not take the country forward, he said, and pointed out that
India did not have much time as it would soon lose its demographic advantage.

The best was yet to come. Deputy Chairman Hamid Ansari said he was keeping an eye on the watch, hinting that Javed Akhtar's time was up. He responded that was because the times were bad.

Javed Akhtar signed off drawing applause across party lines.

Video: Watch Javed Akhtar taking on both Owaisi and Hindu fringe  in terrific Rajya Sabha speech - Bharat Mata ki Jai, but don't target Muslims