Taslima Nasreen returns to Kolkata, cites free speech

Exiled Bangladeshi author and activist Taslima Nasreen has returned to Kolkata for her first public visit in nearly two decades, using the occasion to warn against political upheaval while praising the current Indian government's stance on free expression. Nasreen's return, which began with her arrival on July 31 and included a felicitation ceremony on August 1, marks a significant moment for the writer who was forced to leave the city in 2007 amid violent protests over her writings.

Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata on August 2, Nasreen drew a sharp parallel between recent political protests in Delhi and the 2024 student-led movement in Bangladesh that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She characterized the outcome in Bangladesh as a cautionary tale, alleging that jihadis have taken over power and that the condition of minority Hindus has worsened under the subsequent interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Nasreen called for secular reforms and the separation of religion from the state, while also expressing her support for a Uniform Civil Code across South Asia to ensure equal rights.

Her return was facilitated by an invitation...