Javed Akhtar’s Kolkata Event Canceled Amid Muslim Protests

The West Bengal Urdu Academy has abruptly postponed a highly anticipated four-day cultural festival, “Urdu in Hindi Cinema,” featuring renowned poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar, following protests from Muslim organizations. The event, set to run from August 31 to September 3, 2025, in Kolkata, was called off just hours before its start, sparking a heated debate over freedom of expression, secularism, and religious sensitivities.

The protests, led by groups such as Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and the Wahyahin Foundation, centered on Akhtar’s self-proclaimed atheism and past statements, which they claim insulted Islam and hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslim community. Mufti Abdus Salam Qasmi, general secretary of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind’s West Bengal unit, argued that the state-run Urdu Academy, a minority institution, should have chosen a guest who respects the community’s values. “Certain comments by Javed Akhtar have caused unease among devout Muslims. The Academy could have invited someone who hasn’t hurt our sentiments,” Qasmi told PTI.

Similarly, Mufti Shamail Nadwi of the Wahyahin Foundation acknowledged Akhtar’s contributions to Urdu literature but criticized his recent remarks. “Javed Akhtar is a gifted creative figure, but his statements mocking religion have offended many in the community. The Minority Affairs Department should have been more mindful in selecting guests,” Nadwi said, adding that the Foundation had invited Akhtar for a public debate on religion.

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The Urdu Academy’s secretary, Nuzhat Zainab, cited “unavoidable circumstances” for the postponement but provided no specific details or confirmation on whether Akhtar would be invited to the rescheduled event. Sources suggest the decision was influenced by the state government’s caution ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, aiming to avoid potential unrest or communal tensions.

Javed Akhtar, a celebrated figure in Hindi cinema and Urdu poetry, responded defiantly, stating, “As long as both Hindu and Muslim fundamentalists are criticizing me, I believe I’m doing something right.” He expressed his love for Kolkata, a city known for its progressive ethos, and vowed to return soon.

The cancellation has drawn sharp criticism from civil rights groups and intellectuals. Poet Gauhar Raza called it “deeply disturbing,” accusing both Hindu and Muslim fundamentalists of silencing rational voices. The Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) condemned the move as a politically motivated capitulation, urging the government to uphold secularism. Activist Shabnam Hashmi offered to host Akhtar in Kolkata, slamming groups like Jamiat for promoting a “Muslim right” agenda.

Left student organizations, including SFI, AISF, and AISA, issued a joint statement condemning the postponement as an “undemocratic attack” on art, culture, and intellectual freedom. They extended an open invitation to Akhtar to speak in Delhi on Urdu’s role in Hindi cinema, vowing to resist fundamentalist pressures. Author Taslima Nasreen, who faced similar protests in Bengal in 2007, warned that yielding to such threats only emboldens extremists.

The controversy has reignited debates about the balance between artistic freedom and religious sentiments, with many in Kolkata’s literary community expressing disappointment. Ghazala Yasmin, a key organizer, lamented the postponement but remained hopeful for a rescheduled event with greater diversity. As the Urdu Academy navigates this fallout, the incident raises critical questions about the state’s commitment to protecting cultural expression in the face of religious opposition.

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