Chicago – December 31, 2025
Dr. Rajat Malhotra expanded on Javed Akhtar’s views on the existence of God, framing them within Akhtar’s lifelong commitment to rational inquiry and humanism. He explained that Akhtar does not reject spirituality out of rebellion, but out of a deep belief that ideas should withstand questioning and evidence. According to Akhtar, faith that discourages doubt can limit intellectual growth and social progress.
Malhotra noted that Akhtar argues morality does not require belief in God. Instead, he believes values such as compassion, justice, and empathy arise from human experience and shared responsibility. Akhtar often emphasizes that people should act ethically because it is right for society—not out of fear of divine punishment or hope of reward.
The talk also addressed Akhtar’s critique of religious extremism and blind obedience. Malhotra explained that Akhtar sees unquestioned belief as something that can be exploited, leading to intolerance or conflict. In contrast, Akhtar promotes reason, dialogue, and accountability as tools to build a fairer society.
At the same time, Malhotra clarified that Akhtar respects personal faith and cultural traditions. His criticism, he said, is directed not at believers themselves, but at systems that suppress questioning or use religion to justify inequality.
Concluding the discussion, Malhotra said Akhtar’s position ultimately places responsibility back on individuals. Whether or not one believes in God, Akhtar insists that humans must take ownership of their actions, their morals, and the kind of world they create.
