Legendary Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar on Saturday spoke about the abuse he faces, being a tall public figure, from certain sections of people from both Hindus and Muslims alike, saying that he would rather choose to go to “hell” than to Pakistan, as some people curse him.

“People from both sides abuse me. One calls me a Kaafir (infidel), saying that I will go to hell. The other calls me a Jihadi, asking me to go to Pakistan. So, If I only have a choice of going either to hell or to Pakistan, I would rather like to go to hell,” the lyricist said while addressing a large gathering at the launch of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s book Narkatla Swarg (Heaven in the Swamp) in Mumbai on Saturday.

Several political leaders, including former chief ministers, Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP) president, were in attendance as Akhtar opened up about the treatment he receives from certain people for his public demeanor and candid statements when it comes to religion or politics.

“People from both sides abuse me. It’s not one-sided. I would be very ungrateful if I don’t admit that there are people who also appreciate me. Many support me, praise me, and encourage me,” he added.

“But this is also true that the extremists from this side abuse me so do the extremists from the other side. This is the reality. If even one of them stops abusing me, I will call it an anomaly and think that I must have made a mistake,” Javed Akhtar maintained.

Javed Akhtar served as a Rajya Sabha member from March 22, 2010 to March 21, 2016. He was nominated to the Upper House of Parliament by the then President Pratibha Patil.

Meanwhile, Narkatla Swarg is a book written by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, recounting his experiences during his political career over the years.

With agency inputs