Writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar became the first Indian to receive the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award for 2020 for critical thinking, holding religious dogma upto scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values. Javed, who has been vocal about political happenings like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Islamophobia amongst many, was honoured with the award. The former recipients of the award were American TV host, comedian and political commentator Bill Maher and English-American intellectual, philosopher, social critic and writer Christopher Hitchens. Talking to a leading daily about this honour, Javed told that it is a huge recognition for him as he had no idea that his opinions would reach so far.

"These are the people of the same ideology, but I wasn’t sure they would know of my existence or what I have written and my opinions. I had no idea it would reach so far! So, it is a huge recognition," Javed told.

Recommended Read: Javed Akhtar becomes the only Indian to be honoured with Richard Dawkins Award

Javed further added that he never looked for validation as he did not doubt his opinions. "Validation is for someone who has even an iota of doubt about what he or she thinks. But I have always been so sure about my thinking. But I am thrilled for this one because it is the first time I have been awarded for my views, my thought process, my rationality, my thoughts on religion. It is the ultimate recognition because it comes from a huge institution," he added.

Javed said that this win will tell the world that some people in India express their views openly which aren't popular. "This win will tell the world that there are people in India who express views which are sometimes not popular. Democracy has given us a gift, and we will always protect it," Javed said.

(Source: Indian Express)