Javed Akhtar sweetly takes a dig at Owaisi in Rajya Sabha speech

In his last speech in the Rajya Sabha, poet and writer Javed Akhtar said that he would cherish his memories of his stint in the Upper House as they were "keemti" (precious) but also came down heavily on AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, without naming him.

Javed Akhtar added that democracy could never be possible without secularism.

"We are very blessed. We keep complaining, but we must be thankful for our Constitution which gives us democracy," he said in the Rajya Sabha while sharing his experiences in the Upper House during the past six years.

India's biggest achievement after Independence was to establish "democracy in the roots of our country", said Akhtar, who will retire as a nominated member from the Rajya Sabha this year.

Recalling that he approached the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with an issue pertaining to writers, Akhtar said he discussed the matter with him before asking him to consult the Opposition as well.

"I felt so good (about the suggestion)," Akhtar said, adding that there is not only a government in India but also an Opposition.

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