Kolkata/IBNS, Sept. 2 -- The West Bengal Urdu Academy has cancelled a literary event after some Islamist organisations opposed an invitation to renowned poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar, triggering widespread criticism against the Mamata Banerjee government from several quarters of the society, media reports said.

The event was scheduled to be held in the academy located in Kolkata from August 31 to September 3.

Akhtar, who was invited as the chief guest, was about to participate in a discussion on a topic titled 'Urdu in Hindi cinema'.

Several Islamist groups including Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Kolkata, Wahyain Foundation threatened to launch protests if the invitation to Akhtar was not withdrawn.

They also called the eminent lyricist "shai...