LUCKNOW, Feb. 2 -- Poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar drew a sharp distinction between personal goodness and organised religion at the annual memorial event for veteran left leader Shankar Dayal Tiwari on Sunday.

"I deeply respect religious people who are genuinely good human beings," Akhtar said, but added that religion by itself does not necessarily produce moral societies.

Pointing to global examples, he remarked that if religion alone created ethical individuals, the Middle East would have been far more peaceful. "In contrast, Western Europe, where churches are often empty, has more justice, freedom and better safety for women," he observed.

The Shankar Dayal Tewari Memorial Committee organised the event at the Uttar Pradesh Urdu Akade...