Renowned Bangladeshi poet Taslima Nasreen, known for her lifelong commitment to challenging societal norms and addressing issues of injustice, remains a fearless advocate for those who are concerned about the suffering of Palestinians and encourages them to also pay attention to the struggles faced by minorities in Bangladesh.
At the age of 62, Taslima Nasreen's unwavering spirit, which has driven her to challenge conventions and confront hypocrisy and misogynistic religious practices in her society, remains as vibrant as ever. She is steadfast in her belief that she has a duty to continue the "good fight" against injustice whenever and wherever she encounters it.
In a candid interview with PTI, Nasreen expressed her viewpoint on the issue, saying, "I have heard that many of my fellow citizens from Bangladesh are deeply distressed by the atrocities against Palestinians, and some even wish to travel to Palestine to offer assistance. Personally, I condemn all forms of atrocity, regardless of the location, including those affecting Israelis and Palestinians."
However, Nasreen emphasized that if her fellow countrymen are genuinely concerned about the horrors and the refugee crisis stemming from the conflicts in Palestine, they should also be equally troubled by the ongoing attacks on minorities within Bangladesh. She underscored the urgency of recognizing the plight of minorities within their own nation, particularly when many are forced to leave their homes and become refugees elsewhere due to attacks and threats.
Notably, Bangladesh has witnessed a series of attacks and incidents targeting its minority communities. These include assaults on temples, and community properties, anti-minority slurs, threats of expulsion, and abuse. Despite the nation's notable economic development, fundamentalism continues to rise, and gender disparities persist. Nasreen believes that extremists are gaining ground while communalists are gaining public and political influence.
Taslima Nasreen, who has received prestigious awards such as the Simone de Beauvoir Prize and the Sakharov Prize, is renowned for her radical writings that exposed hypocrisy and fundamentalism, particularly within her homeland of Bangladesh. Her uncompromising views sparked outrage from orthodox religious figures, some of whom issued fatwas against her, leading her to seek refuge in Europe and the United States. Subsequently, she relocated to India and currently resides in Delhi.
She expressed concern over the growing influence of institutions that teach fundamentalism, such as Qaumi Madrasas, which have seen support from the government. This situation has raised apprehensions among critics like Nasreen, especially as the government has made concessions to orthodox Islamist demands.
Taslima Nasreen pointed out that while Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, enjoys significant popularity, there have been missed opportunities to restore the nation's secularism and enact legislation promoting gender equality in areas such as marriage, divorce, and property inheritance rights.
Speaking about the upcoming parliamentary elections in Dhaka, Nasreen emphasized that elections in Bangladesh are not true elections, echoing concerns raised in the Western world regarding the credibility of elections in her home country.
Nasreen also criticized the denial of travel permission to Begum Khaleda Zia, the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who had banned Nasreen's books in Bangladesh. Despite their differences, Nasreen called for Khaleda Zia to be allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Looking ahead to the forthcoming elections scheduled for December 2023 and January 2024, Nasreen voiced concerns that discussions were still ongoing between political parties regarding their participation. The main opposition party, the BNP, has demanded that elections take place under a caretaker government, a condition the ruling Awami League has been reluctant to accept.
Regarding her literary work, Nasreen lamented that a newspaper column she used to write for a widely circulated daily in Dhaka has been discontinued. She is currently completing a book titled 'Dusahas' (Audacity), which focuses on the alleged medical mistreatment she experienced during a hip replacement surgery.
Nasreen also expressed her excitement about her first comprehensive collection of poetry translated from Bengali into English, titled 'Burning Roses.' Her poetry often challenges conventional views on relationships, as reflected in a poem in the collection that contemplates the complexities of human connections.
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