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Hello everyone!
It is fascinating how a single word, spoken by the right person at the right time, can capture the nation’s attention and spark endless discussions.
In India, we have seen this happen twice in recent years with two very different public figures: Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and Islamic scholar Mufti Shamail Nadwi.
Today, let us dive into these two moments that put ordinary words under the spotlight, one from the world of social and political discourse, and the other from deep philosophical debates.
These stories show how language evolves through public conversations, and why certain terms suddenly feel like they’re everywhere.
The Word “Intolerance” And Aamir Khan’s 2015 Moment
Back in November 2015, Aamir Khan was at an event in New Delhi when he shared something personal.
He talked about feeling a sense of alarm over some incidents happening in the country.
More specifically, he mentioned that his wife, Kiran Rao, had asked if they should leave India because she felt unsafe for their child amid what she saw as growing intolerance.
Those comments hit the headlines like a storm. Suddenly, “intolerance” was on everyone’s lips, from news channels to dinner table chats, social media to parliament discussions.
Aamir did not invent the word, of course, but his statement made it the centerpiece of a massive national debate.
What followed was intense.
Some people agreed with him, saying incidents like mob violence and attacks on free expression were worrying signs.
Others felt he was exaggerating or being unpatriotic.
The backlash was huge, with boycott calls for his movies, heated TV debates, and even questions about his role as a public figure.
The debate grew bigger when many writers, artists, and scientists started returning their national awards in protest, a movement that came to be known as “award wapsi.”
It was not just about Aamir anymore; it became a broader conversation about freedom, safety, and the direction India was heading.
In the end, “intolerance” became a keyword for that entire period.
It highlighted how divided opinions could get on sensitive issues, and it reminded us that celebrities’ words carry real weight.
The Word “Contingent” And Mufti Shamail Nadwi’s Recent Debate
Fast forward to December 2025, and another word entered the public chatter in a big way: “contingent.”
This time, it came from Mufti Shamail Nadwi, a young Islamic scholar (born in 1998!) who’s gained a massive following online for his clear, confident explanations of faith and philosophy.
With millions of followers on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, he is known for engaging with modern questions.
Mufti Shamail was in a highly anticipated debate titled “Does God Exist?” against veteran poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar.
The event in New Delhi drew huge attention, and clips went viral almost immediately.
In his arguments for God’s existence, Mufti Shamail leaned on classic philosophical ideas, especially the “argument from contingency.”
He explained that everything in the universe is “contingent”, meaning it does not have to exist on its own; it depends on something else for its existence.
A chair is contingent because it needs wood, a carpenter, and so on.
The universe, he argued, is full of contingent things, so there must be a necessary being (God) that is not dependent on anything else.
He broke it down with terms like “contingent beings,” “infinite regress,” and why an endless chain of dependencies does not make sense.
For many viewers used to simpler religious talks, hearing these English philosophical words in a Hindi-Urdu debate was refreshing, and confusing for some!
Javed Akhtar pushed back strongly from an atheist viewpoint.
However, Mufti Shamail’s calm delivery and logical flow won praise from many.
Suddenly, “contingent” was trending. People were sharing clips, explaining the concept in memes, and debating it online.
It introduced everyday audiences to deep ideas from Islamic and Western philosophy, making abstract arguments feel accessible.
Comparing The Two Moments: A Quick Look
To make it easier, here is a simple table comparing these two word-defining events:
| Aspect | Aamir Khan | Mufti Shamail Nadwi |
|---|---|---|
| Context | Social/political concerns about safety and freedom | Philosophical debate on God’s existence |
| Key Trigger | Personal comment about family feeling alarmed | Explanation in the “Does God Exist?” debate with Javed Akhtar |
| Public Reaction | Divided—support, backlash, award returns | Mostly viral appreciation, some confusion over jargon |
| Impact on Word | Made “intolerance” a buzzword for the national mood | Popularized “contingent” in everyday philosophy talks |
| Broader Effect | Sparked debates on secularism and minority safety | Brought cosmological arguments to a mainstream audience |
Both show how one person’s voice can turn a regular word into something much bigger.
Why Do These Words Matter?
Words like these do not just trend and disappear; they shape how we think and talk about important issues.
“Intolerance” pushed many to reflect on harmony in a diverse country like ours.
“Contingent,” on the other hand, got people curious about bigger questions: Why does anything exist at all?
It is a reminder that public figures, whether from Bollywood or religious scholarship, play a role in educating and challenging us.
In a way, these moments make complex ideas feel closer to home.
Interesting Trivia: Did you know Mufti Shamail Nadwi is one of the youngest scholars to take on such a high-profile atheism-theism debate? At just 27 years old during the 2025 event, he held his own against Javed Akhtar, who has been in public life for decades. Meanwhile, Aamir Khan’s 2015 comments came at a time when social media was exploding in India, helping the word “intolerance” spread faster than ever before.
Wrapping Up
Whether it is the emotional weight of “intolerance” or the logical depth of “contingent,” these words remind us how conversations evolve in India, loud, passionate, and full of surprises.
If you enjoyed this dive into language and debates, stick around for more thoughtful pieces.
Here at THOUSIF Inc. – INDIA, we love exploring topics that make us think deeper about our society, culture, and ideas.
Drop a comment below.
What other words do you think have shaped big discussions in recent years?
We would love to hear from you!
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