Javed Akhtar Questions Burqa Logic, Flags Social Pressure on Women

Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar sparked a candid debate on social norms and personal choice at the SOA Literary Festival 2025 in Bhubaneswar, questioning the logic behind women being expected to cover their faces with burqas.

Speaking during a session organised by the Indian Performing Rights Society and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Akhtar responded to a student’s question on whether wearing a burqa weakens a woman’s strength. His remarks focused on dignity, social conditioning and the role of peer pressure in shaping personal decisions.

“Why should a woman be ashamed of her face?” Akhtar asked, drawing a clear distinction between modest dressing and face covering. While he emphasised that both men and women should dress decently in public spaces, he questioned the reasoning behind covering the face entirely.

Akhtar argued that there is nothing vulgar, obscene or undignified about a woman’s face that warrants concealment. He urged the audience to reflect on why such practices exist and whether they stem from personal conviction or external expectations.

Peer Pressure and Social Conditioning

According to Akhtar, decisions around face covering are rarely made in isolation. He described the practice as a result of social conditioning and peer pressure, suggesting that approval from one’s immediate social environment often plays a decisive role.

“If she says she is doing it by choice, then she is brainwashed,” Akhtar remarked, adding that individuals often internalise expectations imposed by family and community. He questioned whether such choices would exist in the absence of social pressure, asking why anyone would cover their face if left entirely free to decide.

His comments highlighted how societal norms can quietly override individual agency, cautioning against viewing such practices purely as matters of personal freedom without acknowledging broader cultural influences.

Festival Highlights

The session drew active participation from students and attendees, turning the discussion into one of the most engaging moments of the festival. The event was held at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University, where Akhtar was also honoured with the SOA Sahitya Samman for his contribution to literature and the arts.

Akhtar’s remarks align with his long-standing engagement in conversations around culture, dignity and freedom of expression. In recent interactions, he has spoken extensively about storytelling, social responsibility and the need for honest public discourse in contemporary India.