New Delhi: "Peace is far away," feels
controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen and claims
that she is a victim of religious, political and social
'fatwas'.
"Unfortunately, settlement is not for me. Banning,
censorship continues. Not only religious fatwas, I became an
unfortunate victim of political and social fatwas. Life is not
easy and peace is far away," 49-year-old Nasreen, who is
living in Delhi since June this year, said.
Since fleeing Bangladesh in 1994, she has lived at many
places including Europe (1994 to 2004), Kolkata (2004 to
2007), Delhi, Sweden (2008) and then again Delhi as she did
not get permission to go back to West Bengal.
She has almost given up all hope of going back to
Bangladesh and wants to settle down in Kolkata which shares a
common cultural heritage and language.
"I don’t know whether I will be able to go back to
Kolkata. If (West Bengal Chief Minister) Mamata Banerjee
allows me, I would love to go back to Kolkata. Kolkata was my
home for years. I miss my happiness I had in Kolkata," said
Nasreen, who became controversial for her views on Islam and
of religion in general.
"I have been in many countries after leaving Bangladesh
but Kolkata is the only place where my heart is. I share their
language and culture while the West is totally different," the
medical doctor-turned author, who 1993 novel 'Lajja' triggered
strong reaction of religious groups, said.
Currently she is busy writing a book of poems and seventh
edition of her memoirs. Her earlier works include 'Amar
Meyebela'(1999), 'Utal Hawa' (2002), 'Dwikhondito' (2003),
'Sei Sob Andhokar' (2004), 'Ami Bhalo Nei, Tumi Bhalo Theke
Priyo Desh' (2006) and 'Nei Kichu Nei' (2010). While many of
her writings have been acclaimed for their candidness, a
number of them have been banned in India and Bangladesh.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 14:00