Kolkata
oi-Swastika Sruti
Taslima Nasreen- exiled Bangladeshi author and human rights activist is all set to return to Kolkata nearly two decades after she was forced to leave the city due to her writings that created tensions.
Exiled author Taslima Nasreen returns to Kolkata on August 1, nineteen years after leaving due to protests against her writings, including the book “Dwikhandito”. She will attend an anti-fundamentalism event at Rabindra Sadan, sparking political debate.
Nasreen is 63 year old writer who used to live in Kolkata between 2004 and 2007, is scheduled attend an event against fundamentalism at Rabindra Sadan on August 1. The visit will mark her first return to the city since 2007 and has already triggered a political debate in West Bengal. Nasreen currently lives in Delhi on a long-term residence permit.
Why Taslima Nasreen Had to Leave Kolkata
It must be known that Nasreen’s times in Kolkata was cut short as there were violent demonstrations against her writing and was accused of blasphemy in 2007.
Her autobiographical novel titled “Dwikhandito” (Divided) was an additional cause of the chaos and the left front government banned the book at that time. The chaos over her writing went to such a level that she had to flee from Kolkata and she finally took refuge in Delhi and it must be known that she has not been back to the West Bengal capital city since.
What Is Planned for Her Kolkata Visit?
It must be noted that Taslima is visiting Kolkata because she has been invited by three organisations to participate in a programme against fundamentalism at Rabindra Sadan on August 1. She is also expected to receive a civic reception during the event. She will also be reciting some of her poems as a part of her discussion.
In this development, West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari, State Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta and noted author Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay are also expected to attend the programme.
The event is likely to attract significant attention, considering Nasreen’s controversial departure from the city and the political debate surrounding her return.
BJP Welcomes Taslima Nasreen’s Return
The Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya welcomed the author’s proposed visit, saying her voice should not be suppressed. He stated that he had earlier initiated the state government to facilitate Nasreen’s return to her home.
“We welcome her visit to Kolkata,” he said.
Lajja, one of Nasreen’s most widely discussed works, focuses on religious intolerance and the violence faced by a Hindu family in Bangladesh. The book remains banned in Bangladesh.
Trinamool MLA Questions Government’s Move
The Trinamool Congress- TMC has criticised this visit. MLA Akhruzzaman alleged that Nasreen has repeatedly made statements against Muslims and Islamic Shariat and suggested that this was the reason behind the government’s decision to welcome her.
Bengal minister – Agnimitra Paul strongly welcomed Nasreen’s return, claiming that previous governments had failed to provide her with the opportunity and security needed to come back to the state.
Paul said the writer had faced restrictions for expressing what she believed to be the truth. She described Nasreen’s scheduled return under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s government as a “matter of pride and joy”.
ISF Calls Visit a Political Distraction
Not just the state government but the Indian Secular Front (ISF) MLA Naushad Siddiqui, accused the BJP government of using Nasreen’s visit to divert attention from other issues.
He said that the government has failed to fulfil several promises and was now bringing Nasreen to Kolkata in the hope that controversial remark will shift from the real problems.
Taslima’s Return After 19 Years
This visit for Taslima on August 1, will marks a significant moment in her long escape from Kolkata. The city which was once her home, she was forced to leave due to political tensions.
