Mumbai: The Rajasthan-based Rajput Karni Sena has threatened lyricist Javed Akhtar with violence over his remark that the practice of ghoonghat in Rajasthan should also be outlawed if voices like Saamna were demanding a selective ban on the burqa. Akhtar on Thu-rsday said in Bhopal: “If you want to bring a law banning burqa here and if it is someone’s view I have no objection. But before the last phase of election in Rajasthan, this government should announce a ban on the practice of ghoonghat in that state. I feel that ghoonghat should go and the burqa should go. I will be happy.”

Jivan Singh Solanki, Karni Sena Maharashtra wing president, told TOI, “We have asked Akhtar to render an apology within three days or face the consequences.” He sent this paper a videorecording in which he warns Akhtar of physical assault. Karni Sena had earlier led year-long violent agitations against Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmaavat’ before finally ‘approving’ the film. Earlier this year, it had threatened the makers of ‘Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi’.

Akhtar tweeted Friday, “Some people are trying to distort my statement. I have said that maybe in Sri Lanka it (the ban) is done for security reasons but actually it is required for women empowerment. Covering the face should be stopped whether naqab or ghoonghat.” A slew of right wing elements began criticising his statement to which he responded, “The question is not only of our security but the dignity and empowerment of women. Can a woman in a burqa or ghoonghat be a pilot, sportsperson, journalist, political leader. I believe both the restrictions on women are undesirable. It doesn’t matter whether it is a law or tradition. Subjugation of women should not be acceptable at any cost in any form anywhere.”

