Taslima Nasreen Makes Long-Awaited Return to Kolkata After Nearly Two Decades

Bangladeshi author and activist Taslima Nasreen has returned to Kolkata for the first time in nearly 19 years. Her arrival on Friday at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport marks a significant moment in her ongoing journey as a writer and a voice against fundamentalism. Nasreen expressed her happiness to be back, stating, “I’m feeling very good to be back,” as she addressed reporters upon her landing.

This visit holds particular significance as it is her first trip to Kolkata since November 2007. Nasreen left the city under duress after protests erupted in response to her autobiographical work, Dwikhandito, which some Muslim fundamentalists claimed offended their religious beliefs. The situation escalated to the point where the Army was deployed to maintain order, prompting the then Left Front government, led by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, to request her departure for safety reasons.

Nasreen has been living in exile since 1994, having fled Bangladesh following threats to her life due to her outspoken critiques of religious intolerance, particularly through her notable novel Lajja, which addresses the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh after the Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya. She initially settled in Kolkata in 2004 and spent three years in the city, which she affectionately called her second home. However, the unrest in 2007 led to her subsequent exile.

During her visit, Nasreen is scheduled to participate in a literary event focused on anti-fundamentalism at Rabindra Sadan. The event will see her reciting poetry, reflecting her commitment to promoting liberal values through her literary work. Organizers of the program have expressed excitement about her return, indicating that her presence will inspire discussions around freedom of expression.

As Nasreen steps back onto Kolkata’s soil, the city’s literary circles and her supporters eagerly await her insights and reflections on both her personal experiences and broader societal issues. Her return is not just a homecoming; it is a symbol of resilience against the forces that seek to silence dissenting voices in a diverse society.

Source: scroll.in