kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, August 1: The spending nearly two decades in exile, renowned author Taslima Nasreen has finally returned to Kolkata, the city she has always shared a deep emotional connection with. Expressing her happiness after stepping into her favourite city after a gap of almost 20 years, the writer said that she had never imagined that returning to Kolkata would ever become possible.

In an exclusive interview with the news agency ANI, Taslima Nasreen spoke about her long-awaited return, her views on democracy and freedom of expression, and the circumstances that made her return possible after such a prolonged period. She said that coming back to Kolkata after so many years was an emotional moment for her and something she had almost stopped expecting.

On Saturday, Taslima Nasreen is scheduled to attend a special felicitation programme and cultural event at Rabindra Sadan in Kolkata. The high-profile programme is expected to be attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari as the chief guest, making the event a significant occasion in the cultural and literary circles of the state.

Speaking about the role of the Secular Mission Trust in facilitating her return to Kolkata, Taslima expressed her gratitude towards Osman Mallik, who she credited for making her return possible. She said that he played an important role in ensuring that she could come back to the city and also paid close attention to her security arrangements.

Reflecting on the previous administration and the current government’s role, Taslima Nasreen said that she was unable to return to Kolkata earlier because she did not receive the necessary protection and support from the previous government. She claimed that the present state administration has provided her with complete security and safety, which made her return possible after such a long wait.

She also expressed hope that she would be able to participate in future cultural events, including the Kolkata Book Fair and other literary festivals. She said that returning to such platforms in the city would bring her immense happiness and allow her to reconnect with readers and the literary community.

Speaking about democracy and individual rights, Taslima Nasreen emphasized that freedom of expression is one of the most important pillars of a democratic system. She stated that democracy cannot be complete without the right to express opinions freely.

She said that India is a great democratic country and that a writer or intellectual should not be rejected or removed from society merely because of differing opinions or ideological disagreements. According to her, protecting diverse voices and allowing space for criticism are essential elements of a healthy democracy.

The background behind Taslima Nasreen’s departure from Kolkata dates back to 2007, when controversy erupted over her writings. Her widely discussed novel “Dwikhondito” was banned by the then Left Front government in West Bengal. Following the ban, violent protests took place across Kolkata, with demonstrations targeting the author and creating a tense situation in the city.

Citing security concerns, the then state government asked Taslima Nasreen to leave West Bengal. The incident led to her prolonged absence from Kolkata, despite her strong emotional attachment to the city where she had spent significant years of her literary journey.

Even after a change in political leadership in West Bengal, she remained unable to return to Kolkata for nearly 15 years. The restrictions and uncertainty surrounding her return continued for years, keeping her away from the city’s cultural and literary landscape.

Recently, following another political change in the state and the formation of a BJP-led government under the leadership of Suvendu Adhikari, the long-standing situation changed, allowing the celebrated Bangladeshi-origin writer to finally step back onto Kolkata soil after almost two decades.

Taslima Nasreen’s return has generated considerable interest among political circles, administrators, and members of the intellectual community. All eyes are now on her address at the Rabindra Sadan programme, where many are waiting to hear her message after her historic return to the city.