"Cancellation of Javed Akhtar event sparks row in Bengal"

Cancellation of Javed Akhtar event sparks row in Bengal

The core issue is the cancellation of a state-sponsored cultural event (featuring Javed Akhtar) by the West Bengal Urdu Academy, allegedly under pressure from religious groups. This incident highlights a critical tension between:

1. Freedom of Expression & Secularism: Civil rights groups (like APDR) accuse the state government of betraying its constitutional duty to uphold secularism and free speech by capitulating to the demands of fundamentalist forces. They see it as a politically motivated move to appease a specific voter bloc ahead of elections.

2. Communal Harmony & Sentiments: The opposing groups (like Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind) argue that the cancellation was necessary to prevent potential communal disharmony, claiming that the speaker had a history of making comments that insult religious sentiments.

The event's postponement is thus not just a administrative decision but a symbol of the state's dilemma in balancing ideological principles with pragmatic political and social considerations.

Sociological analysis

1. Core Theoretical Perspectives( thinkers )

• Durkheim (Collective Conscience): Religion acts as moral glue; dissenting voices seen as threats to cohesion.

• Weber (Authority): Contest between rational-legal (state/civil rights) and traditional authority (religious leadership).

• Parsons (Functionalism): State’s priority = equilibrium → prevention of disorder > protection of rights.

• Conflict Theory (Marx): State actions shaped by power struggles & electoral interests.

• Symbolic Interactionism: Event becomes symbolic—

        o For civil groups: erosion of secularism.

        o For religious groups: defense of honor.

2. Politics and Society

• Nation, Democracy & Citizenship: Citizenship tension between rights (free speech) vs. duties (public order).
• Political Parties: TMC’s decision illustrates vote-bank politics—balancing ideology and pragmatism in an electoral democracy.
•  Social Movements:

                 o APDR (rights-based): Pushes for secular, constitutional values.

                  o Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (identity-based): Defends faith and collective honor.

"For the full context and detailed insights, please see the analysis contained in the attached PDFs."