Javed Akhtar at the Centre of New Rows: Hijab Incident, Gaza Remarks and Renewed Debate on Faith and Veil

Veteran poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar has been at the centre of several trending controversies this week, after publicly condemning an incident involving Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and reiterating provocative remarks about religion and the burqa that have reignited national debate on faith, freedom and women’s dress choices.

Akhtar publicly criticized Nitish Kumar over an episode in which the chief minister reportedly removed the veil of a Muslim doctor, saying the act was unacceptable and that Kumar owes the woman an unconditional apology, according to his statements reported on December 19, 2025.[1][2]

The condemnation follows Akhtar’s long‑standing public stance against pardah and his commentaries at literary events; he has argued previously that wearing a burqa implies a woman is ashamed of her face, a line of argument he reiterated at the SOA Literary Festival earlier in 2025.[5][4]

Separately, Akhtar’s participation in a filmed debate on the existence of God has attracted attention after he questioned how an omnipotent deity could allow catastrophic suffering in Gaza, asking rhetorically why God did not “save Gaza’s children,” remarks that provoked strong reactions among some Muslim groups and commentators.[3]

Public reaction has been mixed: supporters have defended Akhtar’s right to critique religious practice and political conduct, while critics say his tone and phrasing—particularly on matters touching religious belief and women’s dress—are insensitive and provocative for India’s plural public discourse.[3][1]

Media coverage has been rapid and multi‑pronged. Video and print outlets reported Akhtar’s demand for an apology from Nitish Kumar and broadcast clips from his recent festival talk questioning burqa logic,[1][2][4] while outlets carrying the debate on God and suffering highlighted the stark exchange with Islamic scholar Mufti Shamail Nadwi that touched on faith, reason and moral responsibility.[3]

Context: Javed Akhtar is a widely known poet, lyricist and public intellectual whose opinions on social and cultural issues regularly draw public attention; his atheism and critiques of practices he sees as oppressive have made him a polarising figure in past years as well.[3][4]

What’s next: The immediate fallout includes political pushback from leaders and voices in the Muslim community, social media debate, and calls from some quarters for measured public discussion rather than personal attack—developments that media outlets are tracking in real time.[1][2][3]

Reporting note: This article summarizes widely reported statements and filmed debates published by Indian news outlets and regional papers on December 19, 2025; readers seeking full transcripts or video should consult original coverage from television and digital publishers for verbatim quotes and unedited footage.[1][2][3][4][5]