A rare public debate between Islamic scholar Mufti Shamail Nadwi and renowned Indian poet Javed Akhtar took place at the Constitution Club in New Delhi. The central question of the discussion was “Does God Exist?”, drawing attention far beyond the venue.
The nearly two-hour debate explored deep themes such as faith, morality, atheism, and divine justice. Both speakers presented their views openly, making the exchange engaging for a wide audience.
The session was moderated by senior journalist Saurabh Dwivedi and organised by a major Indian digital platform. The calm yet sharp moderation allowed both sides to explain their positions in detail.
Clips and the full video of the debate quickly went viral. The discussion has crossed more than 3.7 million views on YouTube and continues to trend across various social media platforms.
Read more: India signs a free trade agreement with New Zealand
Many viewers praised Mufti Shamail’s arguments for their clarity and depth. At the same time, Javed Akhtar’s rational and atheist perspective also received strong support from his followers.
Social media reactions have been intense. Some comments, including statements like “Now I have converted to Islam”, reflect the emotional impact the debate had on certain individuals.
However, there is no verified report or official data confirming that the debate led to large-scale religious conversions. Claims suggesting that many Indians embraced Islam remain anecdotal and unverified.
The debate shows strong public interest in faith and belief. Clear arguments made it viral beyond religious circles. Online reactions are powerful, but real-world impact remains unproven.