Veteran Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar, who is known for his outspoken views on religion and politics, on Friday said ‘Jai Siya Ram’ is the “finest example” of love and unity. Mr Akhtar also added that Lord Ram And Sita are the “ideal” husband and wife.

The Bollywood legend’s remarks came at a Deepotsav event organised by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray in Mumbai.

“There are many deities, but when we talk about the ideal husband and ideal wife, Ram and Sita come to mind… ‘Jai Siya Ram’ is the finest example of love and unity,” Mr Akhtar said.

#WATCH | Mumbai: Lyricist Javed Akhtar says, “There are many deities, but when we talk about the ideal husband and ideal wife, Ram and Sita come to mind… ‘Jai Siya Ram’ is the finest example of love and unity…” (09.11) pic.twitter.com/3q7ePovJCC

— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2023

He also stressed the cultural importance of Hinduism and raised concerns about the dwindling freedom of expression.

“There are some people who have always been intolerant. Hindus are not like that. Their specialty is that they are generous and large-hearted. This is Hindu culture, this is civilisation. It has taught us democratic attitudes. That’s why there is democracy in this country. Thinking that we are right and everyone else is wrong is not the work of Hindus. Whoever taught you this is wrong,” Mr Akhtar said.

The lyricist added that Lord Ram and Sita are not only Hindu gods and goddesses but the cultural heritage of India. 

The Supreme Court today came down hard on both Punjab and Tamil Nadu governors after the state governments accused them of delaying action on bills cleared by the assemblies. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, urged both the governors to not delay the bills that have been cleared by the elected assembly.

“Please don’t deflect the course of bills passed by a duly elected assembly. It’s a matter of very serious concern,” the Chief Justice said.

“You’re playing with fire. How can the governor say this? We are not happy with what is happening in Punjab. Will we continue to be a parliamentary democracy?” the bench added while emphasising that India has been running on established traditions and conventions and they need to be followed.

The Punjab government had earlier moved the Supreme Court alleging delay in Governor Banwarilal Purohit’s giving assent to bills passed by the state assembly.

The plea said such “unconstitutional inaction” has brought the entire administration to a “grinding halt.” Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, arguing for the Punjab government, had said the governor had kept back seven bills including those related to fiscal management and education. He said the bills were sent for the governor’s nod in July and his inaction has affected governance.

The court has directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to place on record the details of action taken by Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit on the bills passed by the assembly.

The Punjab governor is involved in a long-running feud with the Aam Aadmi Party government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

The Tamil Nadu government had also urged the Supreme Court to intervene alleging that the Governor was “undermining the will of people” by intentionally delaying the bills sent to him for clearance. The DMK government and Tamil Nadu governor have been at loggerheads for the past few months. Chief Minister MK Stalin and Centre-appointed Governor Ravi have earlier clashed on pending bills, Mr Stalin’s foreign trips, the Dravidian model of governance, and the latter’s remarks on the state’s name.

At least four people were killed after an oil tanker hit a car and a pickup van near Sidhrawali village in Gurugram on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway on Friday night, police said.

According to the investigation officer of Bilaspur police station, Vinod Kumar, an oil tanker coming from Jaipur broke the divider and hit a car. The passengers inside were probably travelling to Jaipur, said the police. The car was engulfed in fire due to the CNG cylinders inside it.

The accident killed all three passengers due to fire following the collision.

The police further informed that after hitting the car, the oil tanker collided with a pickup van on the highway, due to which the driver of the van died on the spot.

“We received information regarding the accident that occurred on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway. When we reached the spot, we found that a car was gutted with fire, and three people were killed. Later, we also found that the oil tanker had collided with a pickup van due to which the driver of the van died on the spot,” IO Kumar said.

“However, the accused driver of the oil tanker fled away, and efforts are underway to catch him,” he added.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.