Urdu organisations condemn deferment of Javed Akhtar event in Kolkata after protests
New Delhi: The West Bengal Urdu Academy’s decision to defer a programme featuring noted poet, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has drawn sharp criticism from Urdu cultural organisations in the United Kingdom. According to a report by The Wire, the cancellation followed opposition from Islamic groups in Kolkata, who objected to Akhtar’s participation on grounds that he had “mocked” religion and religious figures.
Two UK-based groups, Urdu Culture London and Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu UK, issued a joint statement condemning the move as “undemocratic” and “an attempt to silence literary and artistic expression.” They said, “While difference of opinion ought to be respected, coercion, intimidation and censorship have no place in a democratic society.” The organisations stressed that the deferment was especially troubling coming from Kolkata, a city historically regarded as a hub of pluralism and intellectual freedom.
As The Wire reported, the three-day festival titled ‘Hindi filmon mein Urdu ka kirdaar’ (The Role of Urdu in Hindi Cinema) was to include poetry readings and a discussion session with Akhtar. However, following objections by at least two Islamic organisations, including the Jamiat Ulama Kolkata, the Academy postponed the event without citing official reasons.
The UK-based Urdu organisations argued that Akhtar’s atheist views, even if regarded by some as irreverent, “can never justify the erasure of a voice.” They further warned that conflating Urdu with any one religion has already harmed the language’s growth in India. “For those of us committed to sustaining Urdu culture in the United Kingdom, it is profoundly disheartening to witness efforts to dismantle that culture in the very land of its birth,” their statement read.
Signatories Hilal Fareed, Annie Zaidi and Saif Mahmood urged the West Bengal government and cultural bodies to ensure that artists and writers are able to engage with audiences without fear of coercion. They emphasised that cancel culture is “the antithesis of democracy.”
Meanwhile, Javed Akhtar told The Hindu that he was “pained” by the protests. “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,” he said, adding that he “never imagined” such opposition would come from a city like Kolkata.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
KKR defeat LSG via Super Over
Lucknow (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants via Super Overs in a battle between two bottom-placed teams in the IPL, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 156, LSG suffered a batting collapse and managed to tie the contest and take it to Super Over with No. 9 Mohammed Shami striking a last-ball six against a wayward Kartik Tyagi, who leaked 16 runs in the final over.
But Sunil Narine bowled a stunning Super Over conceding just one run and taking two wickets to give KKR an easy target.
Rinku Singh then finished the chase with a boundary off first ball from Prince Yadav.
Earlier the KKR were in deep trouble with 93/7 in 15 overs but Rinku smashed a sensational 83 not out from 51 balls including four sixes in a row in the final over to lift them to 155/7.
Cameron Green (34) was the only other batter to reach double-digit scores as KKR suffered a familiar batting meltdown with Mohsin taking his maiden fifer.
In reply, LSG continued their dismal show with the bat to succumb to their fifth loss in a row.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7; 20 overs (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23). Lucknow Super Giants 155/8; 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 42). KKR won via Super Over.
