Bollywood lyricist Manoj Muntashir is facing widespread condemnation on social media for allegedly plagiarizing a poem written by Robert J Lavery in 2007 and publishing it as his own poem. Users are alleging that Manoj Muntashir translated Robert J Lavery’s English poem into Hindi and made it his poem. Users are shocked to see that Muntashir did not even apologize for stealing the poem.
In fact, this happened when a Twitter user published a poem by Manoj Muntashir, which was published as part of his book ‘Meri Fitrat Hai Mastana’. Sharing this, a Twitter user wrote, “Nationalist, exclusive supporter of Indian culture, deeply religious, the greatest lyricist Manoj Muntashir Ji does wonders. He just wrote a poem in his book ‘Meri Fitrat Hai Mastana’ published by Vani Prakashan, but it was translated into English years ago!”
The first few lines of Muntashir’s poem when translated in English, reads, “If one day you are feeling sad and feel like crying, then call me. Perhaps I may not be able to stop your tears, but will cry with you. If one day you get frightened of loneliness, then call me. Perhaps I will not be able to end your fear, but I will share your loneliness with you.”
However, the poem ends with these lines, “And one day when you call me but don’t get a response from me, then run fast to see me. Perhaps I need you.”
Also read: “Who taught this man history?”: Twitterati slam lyricist Manoj Muntashir for ‘communal hate’ video
According to the Amazon website, Muntashir’s book ‘Meri Fitrat Hai Mastana’ was published in 2018 which is 11 years after Lovery’s book ‘Love Lost Love Found’ was published.
No sooner did the allegations of plagiarism emerge, Muntashir began to face widespread condemnation for alleged plagiarism with many calling him ‘glorified dacoit.’
Let us tell you that Manoj Muntashir recently compared Mughal emperors to ‘dacoits’, after which he came under the target of social media users. People trolled Manoj Muntashir fiercely, including many Bollywood stars. Muntashir was criticized by many celebrities including actress Richa Chadha, Neeraj Ghaywan and filmmaker Avinash Das.