Synopsis:West Bengal Urdu Academy postpones entire four-day programme (Aug 31–Sep 3), including Mushaira, after protests against Javed Akhtar controversy.
By Dr. Mohammad Farooque | Qalam Times News Network | Kolkata | August 30, 2025
Javed Akhtar Controversy Cancels Full Festival
The Javed Akhtar Controversy has forced the West Bengal Urdu Academy to cancel its entire four-day cultural festival. Scheduled to begin on August 31 and continue till September 3 at Nandan and Kala Mandir, the programme was officially postponed on August 30 following mounting protests against the noted poet and lyricist.
At the center of the uproar is an old video in which Javed Akhtar allegedly made controversial comments about Allah. His selection as president of the Mushaira triggered fierce opposition, with angry protesters tearing down posters and hoardings publicizing the festival across Kolkata.
Religious Leaders Demand Action
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (Kolkata unit) strongly objected to Akhtar’s participation. General secretary Zillur Rahman Arif wrote to Academy Vice President Nadimul Haq, calling the decision disrespectful and inflammatory. Critics argued that honoring a figure with leftist leanings and controversial remarks endangered communal harmony.
Four-Day Line-Up Scrapped
The festival, themed “Hindi Filmon Mein Urdu Ka Kirdar” (The Role of Urdu in Hindi Films), was to feature:
- August 31: Inaugural session with leading scholars and cultural opening.
- September 1: A conversation with Javed Akhtar followed by the Mushaira.
- September 2 | 4:00 PM: Ek Mulaaqat Muzaffar Ali ke Saath – A conversation with filmmaker Muzaffar Ali and Rumi Jaffery on cinema, poetry, and Urdu’s magic.
- September 2 | 5:30 PM: Hindi Filmon Mein Urdu Shayari ke Dhanak Rang – Special session by Kamna Prasad.
- September 2 | 7:00 PM: Dastaangoi – The Ink of Emotion: Urdu in the Heart of Hindi Films by Fouzia & Atul Satya Kaushik.
- September 3: Concluding discussions and cultural presentations.
All these events now stand cancelled. Academy Secretary Nuzhat Zainab announced the postponement citing only “unavoidable circumstances,” a statement echoed by governing body member Dr. Dabir Ahmed.
Political Fallout for Mamata Govt
The controversy has placed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government in an awkward position. The backlash underscores the administration’s miscalculation in approving Akhtar’s participation, with opposition parties and community leaders seizing the opportunity to criticize her handling of sensitive issues.
What was meant to be a celebration of Urdu’s cultural and cinematic heritage has collapsed under political and religious pressure, leaving the state government grappling with the fallout.
Fresh Dates Uncertain
Officials suggested that fresh dates may be considered later, but for now the event will not take place as planned. Kolkata’s literary circles expressed disappointment, warning that cultural exchange is increasingly being overshadowed by controversies.
