Over 150 citizens from various walks of life on Tuesday condemned the alleged "hounding" of poet Javed Akhtar and actor Naseeruddin Shah over their recent remarks made in the backdrop of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

Lyricist-poet Akhtar has come under attack from the Shiv Sena and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) for his comments that appear to equate the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other right-wing outfits with the Taliban that has seized power in Afghanistan.