Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasrin returns to Kolkata after 19 years, receiving a grand welcome amid tight security. Her visit for a cultural programme at Rabindra Sadan revives discussions on freedom of expression, literary rights, and West Bengal’s political and cultural history.
Renowned Bangladeshi author and poet Taslima Nasrin returned to Kolkata on Friday after nearly 19 years, marking an emotional homecoming that has reignited discussions on freedom of expression, literature, and the city’s cultural identity. Her return comes almost two decades after she was compelled to leave the city following violent protests in 2007 over her controversial book Dwikhandito (The Bifurcated).
Nasrin arrived at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at around 12:50 p.m., where she was greeted by admirers, well-wishers, and members of several cultural organisations. The welcoming ceremony featured the traditional sound of conch shells, creating an emotional atmosphere for the celebrated writer.
Expressing her happiness after arriving in Kolkata, Nasrin said, “I feel so good to come here again,” reflecting the significance of her return to a city that had long been associated with her literary journey before her departure.
Her visit is centred around a cultural programme scheduled for Saturday at Rabindra Sadan in central Kolkata. The event has been organised by several cultural organisations, including Secular Mission, and is expected to attract writers, intellectuals, artists, and literary enthusiasts from across the state. According to sources, West Bengal Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari is also likely to attend the programme.
Considering the sensitivity surrounding Nasrin’s visit, the West Bengal Police have made elaborate security arrangements to ensure her safety throughout her stay. Officials have confirmed that comprehensive security measures have been put in place to prevent any untoward incident.
Nasrin’s departure from Kolkata in 2007 followed widespread protests triggered by the publication of Dwikhandito, a book that drew severe criticism from certain groups. The protests escalated into violent clashes in several minority-dominated areas of Kolkata, forcing authorities to deploy the Army to restore law and order.
The then Left Front government, led by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, subsequently banned the circulation of the book in West Bengal and asked the author to leave the state. The decision sparked nationwide criticism from writers, intellectuals, and advocates of free speech, many of whom questioned the government’s commitment to secular values and freedom of expression.
Despite a change in government in 2011, Nasrin remained absent from Kolkata during the tenure of the Trinamool Congress government. Critics have often pointed out that no significant initiative was taken over the following years to facilitate her return to the city.
Her arrival now is being viewed by many as a symbolic moment for Bengal’s literary and cultural community. Several intellectuals believe that her presence represents a renewed opportunity to discuss issues related to artistic freedom, democratic values, and the role of literature in society.
Nasrin, internationally known for her outspoken writings on women’s rights, secularism, and human rights, has spent much of her life in exile due to threats arising from her literary work. Her books have been translated into multiple languages, earning her global recognition as well as controversy.
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The cultural programme at Rabindra Sadan is expected to celebrate literature, secular values, and artistic freedom while bringing together leading voices from the literary and cultural fraternity. Her return has already generated considerable public interest, with many seeing it as an important chapter in Kolkata’s evolving cultural landscape.
As Taslima Nasrin walks once again through the city that once served as her literary home, her visit stands as a reminder of the enduring debates surrounding freedom of expression, tolerance, and the power of literature in shaping public discourse.
