Javed Akhtar: ‘History of Displacement Cuts Both Ways, But Today’s Prejudice Is Not Justified’

Pratiksha Ghosh 

Mumbai, May 30, 2025 :Veteran poet, lyricist, and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has sparked a fresh conversation on historical injustices and present-day communal divides, stating that the marginalization of Hindus in regions like Sindh has led to a cycle of mistrust and displacement that continues to affect Indian society today.

Speaking at a literary event, Akhtar reflected on the painful legacy of the Partition and its aftermath, acknowledging that Hindu communities were driven out of Sindh and faced significant discrimination. 

He said “Yes, Hindus were forced to leave Sindh. They were treated unfairly. That history cannot be denied.”

However, he questioned whether historical wrongs should justify current prejudices. “Today, when a Muslim family finds it hard to rent or buy a home in certain Hindu-majority areas, people often justify it by pointing to the past. But if I were told today to leave everything and walk away from my country, would that be fair? It would hurt  and that’s when karma comes back full circle,” he remarked, urging introspection over collective guilt and inherited bias.

Akhtar's comments come at a time when conversations around communal harmony, housing discrimination, and interfaith relationships are growing increasingly polarized across various sections of Indian society. 

He further emphasised that while acknowledging history is significant , using it to rationalise present-day exclusion is a form of injustice in itself.

“This idea that we must constantly blame today’s generation for the sins of the past — that’s dangerous. It breaks down the social fabric. If we continue in this direction, we all lose,” he warned.

The acclaimed writer also stressed that mutual respect and coexistence are the only way forward for a diverse nation like India. “Our future cannot be built on bitterness. We must work toward a society where no one regardless of faith ,feels like an outsider in their own country,” he said.

Javed Akhtar, known for his candid views on social and political issues, has often been at the center of national debates. His latest comments are likely to reignite discussions around historical memory, collective responsibility, and what it truly means to belong in modern India.