Kolkata, July 31: Renowned Bangladeshi author and poet Taslima Nasreen has returned to Kolkata after nearly 19 years. She was forced to leave the city in 2007 due to violence that erupted in certain areas during the tenure of then Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. This unrest was triggered by the publication of her book “Dwikhandito.”
On Saturday, she is scheduled to address a cultural event at Rabindra Sadan in central Kolkata, organized by various cultural groups, including one named “Secular Mission.” Sources indicate that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari may also attend the event.
Nasreen arrived at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata at 12:50 PM, where she was warmly welcomed with the sound of conch shells. An emotional Nasreen stated, “It feels wonderful to be back here.”
The state police administration has expressed concerns regarding her safety and has assured that adequate security measures will be in place during her stay in the state.
In 2007, following the publication of her novel “Dwikhandito,” severe violence broke out in certain minority-dominated areas of Kolkata. The tension escalated to such an extent that the administration had to deploy the army. The Left Front government, led by Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, imposed a ban on the distribution of the book and asked Nasreen to leave Kolkata. This unwritten ban continued even during the tenure of the Trinamool Congress government.
The then Left Front government faced significant criticism from literary circles across the country. Critics questioned why a government that claimed to uphold and protect secularism succumbed to pressure from radical groups, forcing Nasreen to leave the state.
During the 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule (2011 to 2026), former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also did not take any steps to facilitate Nasreen’s return to Kolkata.
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ASH/ABM
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