Insensitive to all under 10%: Javed Akhtar takes dig at Zardari's Hindu remark

Veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar has criticised Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari over his recent comments about the country’s Hindu minority. Akhtar objected to Zardari’s use of the word “tolerate” while referring to Hindus living in Pakistan and took a dig at the president’s controversial “Mr 10 per cent” nickname.The comments came after a video from Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations surfaced online. In the clip, Zardari spoke about the Hindu population in Pakistan while comparing their position with that of Hindus in India.“The Indians have a different point of view. They have their own agenda in mind. They believe in Akhand Bharat. But there is a lot in between which they have forgotten. We are Muslims. They are not. But we are Muslims of the mindset that we tolerate 3-4 per cent Hindu population in Pakistan. They are as free, as good as anywhere else they were. They would rather be with us than be with them,” Zardari said.Akhtar reacted to the remarks in a post on X. He particularly took issue with Zardari describing the Hindu population as a community that Pakistan “tolerate[s]”. “Mr Zardari of Pakistan who had come into the limelight after Benazir Bhutto had married says that they tolerate the 3-4 per cent Hindu population in their country. I understand, Mr Zardari, you have always been insensitive to all under the sun, which is less than 10 per cent,” Akhtar wrote.Javed Akhtar's ‘Mr Ten Per Cent’ jibeAkhtar’s post also referred to Zardari’s long-standing nickname, “Mr 10 per cent”. The nickname became associated with the Pakistani politician amid allegations that he sought a 10 per cent commission on government projects and business dealings. Zardari has denied the allegations. The nickname gained wider attention in the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly after the dismissal of Benazir Bhutto’s government in 1990. Then caretaker Prime Minister Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi had made allegations of corruption against Zardari.Zardari, who was married to former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, became Pakistan’s 14th president in March 2024. His Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) formed a coalition government with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) following the 2024 general election.Javed Akhtar has spoken about Pakistan beforeThis is not the first time Akhtar has openly criticised Pakistan or spoken about its relationship with India.At a book launch in Mumbai last year, the screenwriter spoke about India’s attempts to improve ties with Pakistan and accused the neighbouring country of not making similar efforts.“India has always made genuine efforts to better the relationship with Pakistan. We opened cultural channels with Pakistan and its artists. But you can't clap with one hand, Pakistan never made any solid efforts to make things better,” Akhtar said at the event.He also spoke about cross-border terrorism and accused Pakistan of allowing terrorists to use its territory.Akhtar has often been vocal on political and social issues, both in India and abroad. His latest remarks came in response to Zardari’s comments on Pakistan’s Hindu minority and have since drawn attention on social media.- EndsPublished By: shweta keshriPublished On: Aug 17, 2026 10:25 IST