Bangladeshi exiled writer Taslima Nasreen has made her support for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) clear, saying that in the fight for equal rights, equal laws for all is the first condition of civilisation.
‘I have been fighting for a Uniform Civil Code for the last 40 years’
Taslima Nasrin, who returned to Kolkata after nearly 19 years, said at a press conference held at the Bangla Academy on Sunday, “I have been fighting for a Uniform Civil Code for the last 40 years. Countries in this subcontinent – like Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan – need a Uniform Civil Code. Any civilized nation has a UCC. Muslim women face discrimination.”
He said, “Hindu women in Bangladesh have no rights. Hindu men practice polygamy there, and Hindu women do not have the freedom to divorce. Although the Indian Hindu Law (of 1956) provides equal rights, a Uniform Civil Code is necessary to provide such freedom to Hindu women in Bangladesh.”
‘All madrasas should be converted into secular schools’
Responding to a question about madrasas, Taslima said, “Based on what I know about madrasas in Bangladesh, they shouldn’t exist. They are breeding grounds for jihadists. There are instances of child abuse and exploitation, and imams and teachers are often caught. Students who graduate from madrasas are unable to pursue productive careers. They often resort to begging. Instead, all madrasas should be converted into secular schools.”
Taslima said the Bangladesh government should control madrasas and mosques. She added, “The government itself should not propagate religion. The government should have no connection with religion.”
At the reception held at Rabindra Sadan, Taslima Nasreen clarified her stance, saying, “Gratitude is not a compromise of subservience.” It’s worth noting that the writer was forced to leave Kolkata during the Left Front regime, and the subsequent Trinamool Congress government made no effort to bring her back. In contrast, Taslima returned to Kolkata within three months of the BJP government coming to power.
Taslima was welcomed by Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari personally pledged to ensure their safety on stage, saying, “Given the changes in West Bengal’s administration, you should come here often. In a safe West Bengal, it is the responsibility of the Chief Minister and the police to ensure your safety. This is not just a change of faces, but the entire system has changed.”
When a journalist asked Taslima about the difference between the three governments, the writer replied, ‘One government expelled me, another did not allow me to come back, while another government has allowed me to come back.’
The author clarified that she had come at the invitation of the Secular Mission Trust, an organization of progressive Muslims, and that the security provided to her was not motivated by any political motive. Regardless of which government provides her security, she will always remain steadfast in her ideals and personal beliefs.
Jihadis were behind the movement that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government.
The author also made critical comments about the recent political upheaval and student movement in Bangladesh. In her view, the student movement demanding quota reform initially seemed justified, but later took a different turn. Taslima remarked, “That student movement in Bangladesh fooled us.” She claimed that jihadists were behind the movement that toppled the government and subsequently took control of the country.
The decision to ban the Awami League is undemocratic.
Taslima strongly criticized the decision to ban the Awami League. Despite criticizing various policies of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Taslima believes that banning a political party or expelling it from the country is never a democratic move.
Strongly condemn the continuous atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh
The author strongly condemned the continued persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. She pointed out that Hindus have faced persecution under every regime—from the eras of Ziaur Rahman, Ershad, and Sheikh Hasina to the current Yunus administration. However, the intensity has increased in recent times. Taslima also spoke out against the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das.
The rise of Jamaat-e-Islami is extremely dangerous
She considers the rise of Jamaat-e-Islami as the main opposition party in Bangladesh extremely dangerous. According to Taslima, if they come to power, they will impose 7th-century Sharia law, which will bring disaster to women and minorities.
Expresses strong desire to participate in Kolkata Book Fair
Taslima concluded by expressing her strong desire to attend the Kolkata Book Fair in the future. She mentioned that if the state government provided security, she would attend the fair as she had in the past. Regarding relations between the two countries, she expressed hope that right-thinking people who supported the liberation struggle would always advocate for maintaining friendly relations between India and Bangladesh.