Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar, known for his candid opinions, has ignited a fresh public discussion by critically examining the societal expectation for women to cover their faces. Speaking at a recent literary festival, Akhtar moved beyond religious discourse to probe the deep-rooted social conditioning behind this practice.
Akhtar's Blunt Questioning at Literary Festival
The conversation unfolded during an interactive session at the SOA Literary Festival 2025. Responding to a young girl's query about whether covering up makes a woman less strong, Akhtar posed a direct counter-question. "Why should you be ashamed of your face?" he asked, urging the audience to scrutinize a norm often taken for granted.
Akhtar clarified that he advocates for dignified clothing for everyone, regardless of gender. He stated that revealing attire is inappropriate for both men and women in settings like an office or college. However, he drew a sharp distinction between dressing modestly and concealing one's face entirely.
Modesty vs. Face-Covering: A Critical Distinction
Akhtar challenged the fundamental logic of treating a woman's face as something that must be hidden. "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?" he questioned, pushing for reflection beyond tradition.
He argued that the notion of it being a purely personal choice is frequently flawed. According to Akhtar, many women are influenced by their environment long before they make a conscious decision. "This is peer pressure. If given a choice, she is brainwashed. If she says that she is doing it on her own, then she is brainwashed," he asserted. He emphasized that approval from family and social circles plays a major role in perpetuating the practice.
Timing Amidst a Heated National Debate
Akhtar's remarks come at a time when discussions on women's dignity, religion, and public behavior are intensely charged. They follow a recent viral incident from Patna, Bihar, where a video showed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulling down a woman's hijab during a public function.
The clip sparked widespread online outrage, with many condemning the act as disrespectful. Former Bollywood actor Zaira Wasim, who left the film industry in 2019 citing religious reasons, was among the strongest critics. She demanded an "unconditional apology" from Kumar, stating on X, "A woman's dignity and modesty are not props to toy with... Power does not grant permission to violate boundaries."
By connecting individual choice to invisible societal pressures, Javed Akhtar's comments have added a new dimension to the ongoing national conversation about autonomy, tradition, and gender norms in contemporary India.
