New Delhi, May 18 -- Congress leader Udit Raj on Sunday praised the recent remarks made by Javed Akhtar at an event in Mumbai, saying that the veteran artist was "learned and highly secular" and there was no room for doubt regarding his statement.

"He is a highly secular and learned person. He is a talented poet and songwriter. There is no doubt about what he said," Raj told ANI.

Lyricist Javed Akhtar attended the launch of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut's book Narkatla Swarg (Heaven in the Swamp) in Mumbai on Saturday and said, "Agar mere paas sirf choice Pakistan aur jahannum yani nark ki hain toh main nark hi jaana pasand karunga."

The event was attended by several political leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray ...