Javed Akhtar on Faith and Nationalism: “The Devout Have Both Religion and Patriotism; The Atheist Chooses Only the Nation”

Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar shared candid views on religion, politics, faith, and atheism during an event in Lucknow, sparking widespread discussion. Speaking at a program commemorating Comrade Shankar Dayal Tiwari’s birth anniversary, Akhtar reflected on personal experiences, social issues, and the evolving cultural landscape of India.

Faith, Atheism, and Patriotism

Akhtar emphasized the moral choices faced by believers and non-believers in today’s context. He remarked,
“A devout person has two options: faith and nationalism. An atheist, however, has no choice of religion and naturally prioritizes the nation.”

Personal Anecdotes

Recalling his childhood in Gwalior, Akhtar shared a humorous anecdote:
“At birth, I was reportedly given the call to prayer in my ears. My father and his friends were communists, and at one point, someone even placed a Communist manifesto in my ear! A picture of Stalin hung in our house; I considered him my grandfather until I was told otherwise at the age of five.”

On his first wife Honey Irani, Akhtar said,
“If someone asks me to name three good friends, Honey will always be first. The other two require more thought. Neither Shabana, my children, nor Honey have any issues with this.”

Religion, Morality, and Fear

Akhtar critiqued conventional teachings of religion:
“Religion teaches that good deeds lead to heaven and bad deeds to hell. While I respect those who follow religious teachings sincerely, morality cannot be based on fear or greed. You can pray five times a day, or spend an hour in worship, but that alone does not make you morally complete. True morality comes from helping others voluntarily, not from a quota system dictated by fear.”

Education and Creativity

On the state of education, he observed,
“During my tenure as a Member of Parliament, I was part of the UGC’s Continuing Education Program. I noticed a disturbing trend—students are taught to replicate instructions exactly. A child painting a house will always paint it the same way, with a sun, a road, a river, and a tree, just as they were told. We are not allowing children to think independently. Social media has a similar effect: it can be beneficial, but only if we encourage critical thinking and understanding.”

Cinema and Class Divide

Akhtar also reflected on changes in cinema-going culture:
“Earlier, the rich and poor had separate hotels and cinemas. Today, multiplexes cater mostly to the affluent. A family spending ₹4,000 on a movie ticket and snacks hardly relates to the social issues of the middle and lower classes. This reflects in the kinds of films being made today.”

Javed Akhtar’s remarks provide a thought-provoking perspective on religion, nationalism, and societal priorities, urging citizens and audiences alike to think critically about faith, morality, and culture in modern India.