Javed Akhtar Faces Backlash Over Controversial Remarks in Recent Interview

Mumbai, India:Renowned Indian poet, lyricist, and scriptwriter **Javed Akhtar** has sparked widespread controversy following remarks made during a recent interview, where he appeared to justify **anti-Muslim bias** in Mumbai’s housing market by linking it to **Partition-era trauma**.

During the interview, Akhtar revealed that he and his wife, veteran actress **Shabana Azmi**, had faced difficulties finding a flat in Mumbai, stating that **some Hindu landlords had refused to rent to them**. He attributed this refusal to **landlords who had migrated from Sindh** during the Partition and whose families had suffered violence and loss during that time.

Akhtar suggested that their **hostility toward Muslims** was a lingering effect of **Partition-related riots**, implying that their reluctance was rooted in personal and historical grievances rather than communal prejudice alone.

The comments have drawn **sharp criticism from civil society, activists, and social media users**, who accuse Akhtar of **legitimizing communal discrimination** and **downplaying present-day Islamophobia** in India. Many noted the irony of a prominent progressive figure appearing to rationalize bigotry, particularly in a country where housing bias against Muslims remains a serious and well-documented issue.

Critics also argue that such statements could **embolden sectarian attitudes** and **deflect responsibility** from systemic discrimination in urban housing.

As of now, Javed Akhtar has not responded publicly to the backlash, but calls are growing for him to clarify or retract his comments.