Security beefed up outside Javed Akhtar's Juhu residence after RSS-Taliban remarks

Mumbai: Police security has been stepped up outside the residence of writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar in Mumbai on Monday after a Maharashtra BJP MLA demand an apology from him over his remark where he allegedly compared the RSS with the Taliban.

Adequate police bandobast was placed outside Akhtar's residence near the ISKCON temple in the Juhu area, said the police official.

Security personnel, including women constables, were deployed outside the lyricist's home, he added.

During an interaction with a news channel on Friday, Akhtar claimed that right-wing all over the world have an uncanny similarity.

"The Taliban want an Islamic country. These people want to make a Hindu Rashtra," the lyricist said without naming the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

BJP MLA and state party spokesperson Ram Kadam condemned Akhtar's remark and demanded an apology to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionaries for comparing the organisation to the Taliban.

The legislator from Mumbai also warned that no film involving Akhtar will be allowed to be screened in the country until he apologises for his comments.

The Shiv Sena, which shares power with the NCP and Congress in Maharashtra, on Monday said Akhtar was "completely wrong" in comparing the RSS with the Taliban.

In an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamna, the Sena underlined that "no frenzy in the name of Hindutva is accepted here... neither the Shiv Sena nor the RSS support that".

"How can you say those who favour the concept of a Hindu Rashtra are of Talibani mindset? We don't agree with this," the party said.