Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi cancel appearance at Karachi lit-fest following Pulwama Terror Attack

The Arts Council in Karachi had invited veteran actor Shabana Azmi and her husband, screenwriter Javed Akhtar, for a conference to pay tributes to her father, eminent poet Kaifi Azmi. The pair who initially confirmed that they would be addressing the event in Karachi, which is set to be held on February 23 and 24, have, however, cancelled their visit following the heinous terrorist attack on the CRPF in J&K's Pulwama.

Javed Akhtar took to Twitter on Friday, February 15, and penned a couple of posts to condemn the cowardly attack of Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed and announced that they will not be attending the two-day lit-fest in Karachi. 

Opening up about the special relationship he shares with the CRPF soldiers, Javed 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 what ever 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(sic)"

Here's the post:

READ: Vicky Kaushal Condemns The dastardly Pulwama Terror Attack, Extends Condolences To The Families Of Martyred Soldiers

Further announcing the canceling of their plans to visit the lit conference, he said, "Kranchi art council had invited. Shabana and me for a two day lit conference about Kaifi Azmi and his poetry . We have cancelled that . In 1965 during the indo Pak war Kaifi saheb had written a poem . “ AUR PHIR KRISHAN NE ARJUN SE KAHA “

Meanwhile, veteran actress Shabana Azmi also confirmed the same on Twitter and stated that there is no way they can carry on with cultural exchanges between India and Pakistan. She further stated that for the first time in all these years she feel weakened in her belief that people to people contact can force the establishment to do the right thing and affirmed that they will need to call halt to cultural exchange.

Here are the posts:

However, she further stated that there is a difference between the 'Pakistani Establishment and the 'people of Pakistan'. Continuing the Tweet thread she wrote, " But lets not lose sight of the fact that there is a difference between the Pakistani Establishment and the people of Pakistan n vice versa. On both sides of d border stand sisters n brothers divided by circumstances with which they had nothing 2 do. Read in the continuity of previous tweets."

Here's the post:

India lost a number of brave soldiers in a deadly terror attack on Pulwama district of South Kashmir on Thursday afternoon. As per PTI, 40 CRPF Jawans were martyred and many suffered severe injuries in the deadliest terror attack on security forces in a decade. As per CPRF sources, the 54 Battalion of CRPF was attacked with an IED blast. The attack was targeted at a CRPF convey of nearly 70 vehicles that was heading from Jammu towards Srinagar.

Pakistan based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility for the terror attack in a text message to Kashmiri News Agency GNS.

READ: Ranveer Singh Condemns The 'cowardly' Pulwama Terror Attack, Extends Condolences To The Families Of Martyred Soldiers

Several Bollywood celebrities including Ranveer Singh, Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgn, Priyanka Chopra, Anupam Kher, and Preity Zinta, among others also condemned the attack. They took to social media to convey their condolences to the families of our martyred solderers and demanded justice for them suggesting the need to hit back at the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation and assured that people behind the attack will be punished. In fact, the attack was strongly condemned across the globe. The White House has asked Pakistan to immediately end being a "support" and "safe haven" to all terror groups as it condemned the Pulwama terrorist attack.