Dalit writer to Javed Akhtar: World can't be atheist like you

[rug]

Saturday January 26, 2013 12:07:12 AM, IANS

Jaipur: A row over religion broke out between Bollywood lyricist and scriptwriter Javed Akhtar and Dalit activist and writer Kancha Illaiah at the Jaipur Literature Festival here Friday.

The tiff erupted after Akhtar, who was in the audience at a packed venue, interjected during a session on God and Buddhism, saying he was an atheist and no religion gave equality to women and weaker sections.

"Discussing religion was like discussing which cave will be better to live. If you want to follow a religion, follow any religion. It does not matter. If you have decided to commit suicide, does it matter how you do it?" Akhtar said, triggering applause.

To this, a fuming Ilaiah, one of the speakers, said: "Real life is not like cinema, certainly not Hindi cinema. Crores of Buddhists in India have more knowledge than intellectuals."

http://www.ummid.com/news/2013/January/25.01.2013/ilaiah_to_javed_akhter.htm

Bollywood?

[cbayer]

1. What? You don't like Bollywood?

Might I suggest Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India. Great fun and taught me everything I know about cricket.

Anyway, I think this guy's comments might have better received if he had not compared being religious to committing suicide.

[Kalidurga]

2. The world could most certainly be atheist.

If that is what everyone wanted. But, the world can't be atheist like Javed Akhtar, because no two atheists are alike. Just as no two Christians or Muslims believe the same. Everyone who believes in a god has produced a god in their own image.

[dimbear]

3. On the slim chance that there is another in the world as ignorant as I, note a crore is

ten million. (really)

[rug]

5. Thanks, I thought it was a typo.

[dimbear]

4. oops

dupe