“Faith or Stupidity?” Javed Akhtar’s Bold Challenge to Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Teachings
New Delhi, June 11, 2025 — A fiery exchange between renowned lyricist and rationalist Javed Akhtar and spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has resurfaced online, reigniting debates around faith, rationality, and the role of spiritual leaders in public discourse.
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Javed Akhtar’s No-Holds-Barred Response to Sadhguru’s Mind Games
The now-infamous interaction, which took place at a public panel discussion years ago, featured the two prominent personalities sharply criticizing each other’s worldviews. While Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev questioned Akhtar’s skepticism toward spiritual thought, Akhtar accused the spiritual guru of manipulating followers and undermining rational thought.
“The first thing that spiritualists will do is try and shake your confidence in these five senses,” Javed Akhtar said during the discussion. “Only then can they control you. Whoever suggests your brain can be undermined is playing a dangerous game with you.”
Akhtar further took issue with Sadhguru’s dismissal of sensory perception as unreliable, and launched into a passionate defense of logic, evidence, and critical thinking. “Anything devoid of reason, rationale, evidence, or witness is faith,” he said. “I really wonder what the difference is between faith and stupidity.”
The exchange became more personal as Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, in a pointed rebuttal, joked, “When I met Javed saab last time, he was telling me that some guru told him not to use his mind. I do not know which guru said this, but the advice has clearly been taken seriously.” To which Javed shot back, “I promise you, guru ji, I have never taken any guru seriously.”
This resurfaced clip has sparked fresh commentary on social media, with many praising Akhtar’s unwavering commitment to rationalism, while others defended Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s broader spiritual perspective.
The clash underscores a long-standing cultural divide between faith and reason in Indian society — one that continues to generate passionate debates across generations.
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