Mamata govt-run Bengal Urdu Academy cancels Javed Akhtar's event after Islamists opposed his participation

The event was scheduled to be held in the academy located in Kolkata from August 31 to September 3.

Akhtar, who was invited as the chief guest, was about to participate in a discussion on a topic titled 'Urdu in Hindi cinema'.

Several Islamist groups including Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Kolkata, Wahyain Foundation threatened to launch protests if the invitation to Akhtar was not withdrawn.

They also called the eminent lyricist "shaitan" or "devil".

In a letter to the academy, the organisation alleged Akhtar had previously passed comments against Islam, Allah causing "unease among people."

The Islamists also reminded the academy of past protests that had "forced" Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen out of West Bengal during the Communist regime.

In the run-up to the 2026 assembly elections, questions are raised against the government, which is often accused of minority appeasement by the Opposition, over the decision to roll back the invitation.

One of the oldest human rights organisations in Kolkata, Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (ADPR), has condemned the cancellation of the event and accused the state government of not protecting the secular fabric guaranteed in the Constitution.

"There is no use appealing to the government to start the event again. It will not help because this decision has come from the top-most people of the government. This is a political decision right before the elections because the State does not want to anger a certain group," ADPR general secretary Ranjit Sur told The Hindu.

Akhtar was born in 1945 into a Muslim family with a strong literary and cultural background. Despite that heritage, he has openly identified as an atheist for decades and often speaks about rationalism and secular values.

He has also been associated with organizations that promote free thought and scientific temper in India.

"There should be some freedom of expression. A person is religious or atheist is his own choice… Calling off a programme because the chief guest had said something in some other context is not a welcoming thing. We are becoming intolerant. We must tolerate different opinions," reacted Sabir Ahmed, a Kolkata-based researcher, as quoted by The Indian Express.

Human rights activist Shabnam Hashmi says, "This is neither a Hindu Rashtra nor a Islamic Country and there are a lot of atheists who have a right to live , speak freely . Even in states run by religions there are people who do not believe in religion."

Poet-author Gauhan Raza wrote on X, " Cancellation of the programme planned by the West Bengal Urdu Academy, at the behest of Muslim fundamentalist organisations, because Javed Akhtar Sahab was invited to speak, is deeply disturbing and unacceptable.

"It also demonstrates that fundamentalists, whether Hindu or Muslim, are equally determined to silence the voices of rationality. He is one of the most firm, cleare, loud, and creative voices of rationality, and the entire nation is always eager to listen to him."

Why did Taslima Nasreen have to leave West Bengal during the Left regime?

Taslima Nasreen, the Bangladeshi writer known for her feminist and secular writings, was forced to leave Kolkata in November 2007 following violent protests by Islamist groups over her novel Dwikhandito and statements critiquing religion.

The state government, citing public safety concerns, effectively advised her to relocate—first to Jaipur, then New Delhi, where she was placed under house arrest for several months.