Veteran lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar has once again sparked a wide-ranging debate after a video from his appearance at the SOA Literary Festival 2025 resurfaced online. In the clip, Akhtar is seen
speaking candidly about the burqa, questioning why women are expected to cover their faces and whether such practices stem from choice or societal conditioning. The video gained renewed traction amid recent outrage over Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulling down a Muslim woman doctor’s hijab during a public event.
“Why Should A Woman Be Ashamed Of Her Face?”
During the literary festival, Akhtar was responding to a student who challenged his earlier remarks about being raised by women who did not wear burqas. The student asked why covering one’s face necessarily implied weakness. Akhtar responded by questioning the very premise of face-covering.
“Why should you be ashamed of your face?” he asked. “Why should you be? I believe that revealing clothes – whether men wear them or women – don’t look dignified. If a man comes to the office or college in a sleeveless shirt, it’s not a good thing. He should dress decently. And a woman should also be decently dressed.”
He then drew a clear distinction between dressing modestly and covering one’s face.
“But what makes her cover her face? What is so vulgar, obscene, undignified about her face that it is covered? Why? What is the reason?” Akhtar asked.
Calls Burqa A Result Of Social Conditioning
Javed Akhtar went on to argue that face-covering is rarely a truly independent decision and is often shaped by societal expectations.
“This is peer pressure,” he said. “If given a choice, she is brainwashed. If she says that she is doing it on her own, then she is brainwashed. She knows that some peers in her life will appreciate that this is done.”
He continued to press the point by questioning the emotional and psychological implications of such practices.
“If you leave her, then why will anyone cover their face? Does she hate her face? Is she ashamed of her face? What? Why?” he asked.
Viral Clip Coincides With Nitish Kumar Hijab Controversy
The resurfacing of Akhtar’s remarks came at a time when Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar faced intense backlash for pulling down the hijab of a newly recruited AYUSH doctor during an official event in Patna. The incident drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders and civil rights groups, who termed the act disrespectful and intrusive.
As Akhtar’s video circulated widely, some interpreted his remarks as an endorsement of Kumar’s actions, prompting the writer to issue a clarification.
Javed Akhtar Condemns Nitish Kumar’s Conduct
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Javed Akhtar made it clear that while he opposes the concept of parda, he does not support forcibly removing a woman’s hijab.
“Every one who knows me even in the most cursory manner knows how much I am against the traditional concept of Parda but it doesn’t mean that by any stretch of imagination I can accept what Mr Nitish Kumar has done to a Muslim lady doctor,” he wrote.
Every one who knows me even in the most cursory manner knows how much I am against the traditional concept of Parda but it doesn’t mean that by any stretch of imagination I can accept what Mr Nitish Kumar has done to a Muslim lady doctor . I condemn it in very strong words . Mr…
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) December 18, 2025
He added, “I condemn it in very strong words. Mr Nitish Kumar owes an unconditional apology to the lady.”
Akhtar’s clarification underlined his long-standing position: criticism of patriarchal practices, he insists, must never translate into violating a woman’s dignity or personal autonomy.
