Taslima Nasreen Says Hindu Culture Is Basis Of Bengali Identity But Javed Akhtar Differs

Last Updated:September 30, 2025, 18:10 IST

Taslima Nasreen claimed Hindu culture underpins Bengali identity, sparking debate with Javed Akhtar.

Javed Akhtar and Taslima Nasreen

Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen ignited a storm on social media as she said that Hindu culture is the foundation of Bengali identity, including that of Bengali Muslims. Her remarks quickly drew a counter from lyricist-poet Javed Akhtar, who underlined the richness of the syncretic Ganga-Jamuni Awadh culture.

Taslima Nasreen wrote, “There is nothing to conceal: Hindu culture is the foundation of Bengali culture. We Bengalis- whatever religion or philosophy we may have embraced over the course of history- belong, in our national identity, to India. The forefathers and foremothers of Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Muslims and even atheists of India were all, or nearly all, Indian Hindus.”

Often critical of Islamic traditions, the author went further to emphasize that Bengali Muslims’ cultural identity is distinct from Arab traditions as she wrote, “Even if a Bengali is Muslim, his culture is not the culture of Arabia. His culture is Bengali culture, and that culture is rooted in Hindu tradition. The beating of drums, the music, the dance- these are the primal expressions of Bengali culture. This is what it means to be Bengali. To deny it is to deny oneself.”

Javed Akhtar’s Response

Responding to Taslima Nasreen, Javed Akhtar acknowledged Bengali cultural richness but urged recognition of the Ganga Jamni Tehzeeb- a composite Hindu-Muslim tradition flourishing in northern India.

“We the people of traditional Awadh have great respect for Bengali culture, language and literature. But if someone is unable to appreciate and respect the great Ganga Jamni Awadh culture and its refinement, its sophistication, then it’s completely his loss. This culture has nothing to do with Arab,” Javed Akhtar said in a post.

He further noted the influence of Persian and Central Asian cultures on Indian traditions, pointing out that many Bengali surnames have Persian roots, writing, “Persian and Central Asian cultures and languages have seeped in our culture and language like Western culture- but on our terms and conditions,” he wrote.

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