Not new, but pained at facing protests in Kolkata: Javed Akhtar

Lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar said that he was “pained” by the protests he faced from a section of people in Kolkata, a city he “deeply” admires.

An event organised by the West Bengal Urdu Academy was cancelled following protests by fringe groups over Mr. Akhtar’s participation. Various Islamic groups had objected to the lyricist’s presence in the four-day event scheduled from August 31 to September 3. Mr. Akhtar was supposed to speak on the influence of Urdu in Hindi cinema on September 1. 

“For all my life, I have faced this backlash for things I believe and speak. I am an atheist. This is nothing new to me. Both Hindu and Muslim fundamentalist groups say I am speaking against their religions,” Mr. Akhtar told The Hindu over the phone from Mumbai on Tuesday (September 2, 2025). 

He recalled visiting Kolkata on multiple occasions and said he had never faced communal backlash. The recent incidents of intolerance were disappointing and disheartening, he said. 

“I have been a great admirer of Kolkata for its rich culture and heritage. I have read all classical Bengali literature in Urdu translations. My only pilgrimage as an atheist is the Boi Mela (Book Fair). Every time I go to the Boi Mela in Kolkata, it heals me because such a huge cross-section of people all in the same place just for their admiration of books is such a beautiful sight. It is such a purifying experience,” he said.

The poet added that “only in Kolkata” do thousands of people from all economic and social backgrounds gather at a place because they respect books and are eager to listen to authors.

Commenting on the protests, the celebrated lyricist noted that Islamic groups who opposed his talk wanted to hold debates with him in Kolkata. But how could one debate with extremists who do not have an open mind, he asked. “There is so much intolerance. Hindu groups tell me I should go to Pakistan. Muslim groups tell me I should change my name to a Hindu name. All of this is very familiar to me. In the last 25 years, Mumbai Police have given me security four times outside my house on their own because of some threat. I never asked for it,” he said.

Expressing sadness over the protests in Kolkata, he said that he never imagined such extreme reactions could come from the city. But he said even the “moon has blemishes”. “Par kya kare, daag toh chaand me bhi hai, (what can one do, even the moon has blemishes),” he said. 

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, one of the groups which opposed the event, said it was against Mr. Akhtar’s participation because he has “insulted all religions and their gods, including Islam”. Another group, Wahyahin Foundation, which too was against the event, said it could debate with Mr. Akhtar if he agreed. 

Social activists, authors, poets, and politicians have condemned the event’s cancellation. Many said the State government “bowed down to fundamental forces”. Government officials did not respond to any queries.