Veteran lyricist-screenwriter Javed Akhtar and celebrated Bollywood actor Shabana Azmi have decided to cancel their trip to Pakistan in light of the recent Pulwama terror attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir.
The couple was earlier invited to join a 2-day literary event in Pakistan organised by the Karachi Arts Council but they have now declined their invitation as a sign of protest against the cowardly act by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
“Karachi Arts Council had invited Shabana and I for a two day literature conference about Kaifi Azmi and his poetry. We have cancelled that,” he tweeted.
Earlier in the day Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi along with a host of other Bollywood celebs condemned the attack in the strongest words.
Akhtar wrote, "I have a special relation with CRPF. I have written their anthem before putting the pen to paper I met a number of CRPF officers n whatever I learned my respect admiration and love for these braves increased by many a fold Today I share the grief of the dear ones of the martyrs."
Calling it a heinous crime, Azmi wrote on Twitter, "Will there be no let to these heinous attacks? These mindless killings. This utter disregard for human lives? Extremely shocking news coming from Pulwama. I strongly condemn the worst terror attack on CRPF convoy and stand united with the grieving families (sic),".
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On Thursday, at least 40 CRPF paramilitary troopers were killed in a suicide bombing attack when an explosive-laden SUV rammed into a CRPF bus, belonging to a 78-vehicle convoy carrying at least 2,500 soldiers.
