The West Bengal Urdu Academy’s decision to postpone a literary event featuring renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar has sparked controversy. The event, titled “Urdu in Hindi Cinema,” was scheduled from August 31 to September 3 but was canceled due to opposition from Islamic groups like Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and Wahyain Foundation. These groups objected to Akhtar’s participation, citing his past comments that they believed insulted Islam and other religions ¹.
Akhtar, known for speaking out against fundamentalism, has faced criticism from both Hindu and Muslim hardliners. In response to the cancellation, he mentioned receiving hate mail from both sides, which he believes validates his stance. Civil rights groups, including the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR), have condemned the cancellation, calling it a politically motivated decision ahead of the 2026 State Assembly election. They argue that the state government is bowing down to fundamentalist forces and failing to protect secularism as enshrined in the Constitution.
The programme titled ‘Urdu in Hindi Cinema’ was scheduled between August 31 and September 3. However, Nuzhat Zainab, Member Secretary of the Urdu Academy, in an official statement said: “Due to unavoidable circumstances, the four-day programme, Urdu in Hindi Cinema, scheduled from August 31-September 3, is being postponed.”
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, one of the groups which opposed the event, said that they are protesting against veteran poet Javed Akhtar attending the event because he has “insulted all religions and their gods including Islam.” Another group, the Wahyahin Foundation, also opposed the event.
“We therefore demand from the State government that the government should explain to the people of the State why it did this. The State government should change its decision and bring Javed Akhtar to Kolkata with respect and hold the event,” an official statement from APDR said. Nadimul Haque, Trinamool Congress’s Rajya Sabha MP and Vice-Chairman of West Bengal Urdu Academy, did not answer any questions regarding the cancellation of the event. Notably, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is the chairman of the Academy.
APDR’s general secretary, Ranjit Sur, believes the decision was made out of fear of political unrest and demands that the government explain its actions and reconsider hosting Akhtar. Human rights activist Shabnam Hashmi and poet Gauhar Raza have also spoken out against the cancellation, emphasizing the importance of freedom of expression and the need to resist fundamentalist pressures. Raza described Akhtar as a “firm, clear, loud, and creative voice of reason” and found the cancellation deeply disturbing and unacceptable.
The controversy highlights the challenges of balancing freedom of expression with religious sensitivities in India. While some groups argue that Akhtar’s comments have hurt their sentiments, others see the cancellation as an attack on intellectual freedom and democratic rights. The incident has sparked a broader debate about tolerance, secularism, and the role of government in protecting these values ⁴.
