India
Tarek Fatah has often faced ire from fundamentalists for his views on radical Islam.
Updated : Feb 20, 2017, 06:10 PM IST
In a shocking display of intolerance, author Tarek Fatah was attacked by a crowd at Jashn-e-Rekhta festival in Delhi by a crowd of youngsters. Fatah told a TV channel that he was peacefully roaming around and signing autographs when he was attacked by youngsters and the organisers of the event didn’t come to his rescue. He said he was attacked from all sides and was verbally and physically abused.
He claimed that the police came and instead of coming to his aid, asked him to leave the venue. Twitter was flooded with tweets from individuals supporting Fatah and also demanding action against the organisers. Fatah has often faced wrath for his views criticising radical Islam. According to the festival organiser’s website, ‘Jashn-e-Rekhta is a celebration of the spirit and eloquence of Urdu. The festival is organised annually in Delhi, under the aegis of Rekhta Foundation – a non-profit organisation for the promotion of Urdu language and culture.’
#Urdu serving fascism. @Rekhta organizers look the other way as Muslim goons attack #FatahKaFatwa host @TarekFatah pic.twitter.com/pos7iaQlY6
— Nazim Naqvi (@NazemNaqvi) February 19, 2017
Disagree with him as much as you like but physically attacking @TarekFatah reflects intolerance, not disagreement & is unacceptable
— Husain Haqqani (@husainhaqqani) February 20, 2017
No doubt about that. No such attack can be justified and thus is condemnable https://t.co/po5WBmuoPy
— S l Habib (@irfhabib) February 20, 2017
#SanjivSaraf will be remembered for providing the shade of @Rekhta under which jihadis could hide, wrapped in the burka of Urdu & secularsm https://t.co/VgqaU6WhOi
— Tarek Fatah (@TarekFatah) February 20, 2017
What do Muslim 'intellectuals' like @atiyaz and @irfhabib hv to say about Muslim goons attacking @TarekFatah at @Rekhta Islamic Festival?
— Harbir Singh (@HarbirSingh_) February 20, 2017
Just heard about how @TarekFatah was targeted at #Jashn-e-@Rekhta. Very unfortunate. Defeats the purpose of free dialogue in a democracy
— Kunāl 嗎 俊 德 (@kunalmajumder) February 20, 2017
Fascism is on display. And these are educated Muslims https://t.co/6AzBihmq9P
— Sanjay Dixit (@Sanjay_Dixit) February 20, 2017
The losers could never match Tarek's honesty, intellect, qualification, courage n conviction. Tarek rocks. Losers seek Burnol. Shame on you. https://t.co/4fU3uHtd3m
— Bharatmitra (@RashtraPrahari) February 20, 2017
They were too busy sampling fine wine & single malt whisky, talking in meaningless 'waah-waa' sher-shairi gloating their cultural superiorty https://t.co/I3qUe4M6hC
— Tarek Fatah (@TarekFatah) February 20, 2017
Use of Violence is reflective of weakness. Mr @TarekFatah is hard nosed, but a respected member of the journalistic community in Canada. https://t.co/LDaqymjENC
— Ashis Basu (@BasuAshis) February 20, 2017
There was nothing 'cultural' abt #JashneRekhta @PradeepUIC. It revealed the fascist attitude towards critics. That's Urdu. Ask B'Desh & Sind https://t.co/6vCzX3nhrM
— Tarek Fatah (@TarekFatah) February 20, 2017
BJP's Satish Upadhyay wrote he was shocked.
Shocking to see writer & columnist @TarekFatah abused & attacked at #JashnERekhta. Shame on libtards & the intolerance brigade. #Hypocrites pic.twitter.com/TqnsywENTh
— Satish Upadhyay (@upadhyaysbjp) February 20, 2017