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The programme, organised by the West Bengal Urdu Academy, was called off after some Islamic groups objected to Akhtar’s participation, accusing him of insulting religion
Poest and lyricist Javed Akhtar | File Image
Poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar responded to the cancellation of a Kolkata literary event featuring him, saying hostility from both Hindu and Muslim hardliners only reaffirms his stand.
The programme, organised by the West Bengal Urdu Academy, was called off after some Islamic groups objected to Akhtar’s participation, accusing him of insulting religion.
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Akhtar, who was invited as the chief guest for a panel discussion on “Urdu in Hindi Cinema,” responded to the controversy by stressing that he faces hostility from both Hindu and Muslim hardliners.
“I get hate mail from both sides,” he told The Telegraph Online.
“I believe as long as both [Hindu and Muslim fundamentalists] are abusing me, I am doing something right. My name, Javed Akhtar, has nothing to do with Islam. Both the words are Persian. It is only in India that names are associated with religion.”
He also reiterated his affection for Kolkata, praising its liberal and progressive ethos.
The cancellation drew strong remarks from author Tasleema Nasreen, who directly addressed the Urdu Academy in a post on X.
“Oh Urdu Academy! You had to cancel the mushaira you organised with Javed Akhtar. You condemn the jihadists’ threats now. But did you condemn their threats on the day they tried to drive out writer Taslima? You didn’t. You thought it was Taslima’s personal problem. Today they’ve pounced on you. Is this now your personal problem, or your guest Javed Akhtar’s?” she wrote.
Slamming the decision, she warned that repeatedly bowing to extremist threats only emboldens them.
“Driving someone away at their command only empowers them—the jihadists. Canceling anyone’s event because of their threats only empowers them. Time and again you bow your head before these fanatical forces, turning them into a monstrous giant. And one day, that giant will devour you too.”
The Urdu Academy’s move has also been criticised by several public figures, including poet-filmmaker Gauhar Raza, who called it “deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” and civil rights groups like APDR, which flagged the broader dangers to democratic rights and freedom of expression.
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