B-Town lauds Javed Akhtar's speech in parliament

Acclaimed lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar's powerful speech at the Rajya Sabha wherein he spoke uninhibitedly on issues of democracy and secularism has been lauded by members of the Hindi film fraternity. On Tuesday, Akhtar gave a farewell speech and shared his experiences in the upper house during the past six years. He said: "Democracy and secularism, constitution and youth power, these are the advantages India enjoys and they should not be frittered away." He also indirectly took on AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi over his recent refusal to say "Bharat Mata ki Jai". The speech was hailed as "wonderful" and "magnificent" by a string of celebrities.