The news hit like a jolt, and beloved writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar didn’t hold back. Afghanistan’s Taliban Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, landed at the Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband on a Saturday. He was met with quite the welcome, a grand affair that raised more than a few eyebrows. Akhtar, a voice known for speaking his mind, felt a deep sense of shame over the whole thing.
He quickly took to social media, using his X account to share his raw frustration. Akhtar didn’t just express disappointment; he openly criticized the honor shown to Muttaqi during his visit. The core of his anger stemmed from the Taliban’s well-known stance, which promotes terrorism and strictly controls education, especially for girls. He found it deeply upsetting that such a figure would be welcomed so warmly.
Akhtar’s words, posted on October 13, 2025, resonated widely. He wrote, “I hang my head in shame when I see the kind of respect and reception has been given to the representative of the world’s worst terrorists group Taliban by those who beat the pulpit against all kind of terrorists. Shame on Deoband too for giving such a reverent welcome to their ‘Islamic hero,’ who is one of those who have completely banned girls’ education. My Indian brothers and sisters, what is happening to us?”
I hang my head in shame when I see the kind of respect and reception has been given to the representative of the world’s worst terrorists group Taliban by those who beat the pulpit against all kind of terrorists . Shame on Deoband too for giving such a reverent welcome to their “…
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) October 13, 2025
The criticism wasn’t just for the welcome itself, but also for Darul Uloom Deoband. This isn’t just any institution. It’s an Islamic seminary located in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. The place is famous for its academic rigor, attracting students from all corners of the world. Many distinguished scholars have come from its halls. This rich history made Akhtar’s condemnation of its welcome for the Taliban leader particularly sharp. He believes an institution of such repute should know better than to honor someone associated with such policies.