Bangladeshi writer and human rights activist Taslima Nasrin, who was forced to leave the city following violent protests over her writings, is set to return to Kolkata after nearly two decades.
The 63-year-old author had to flee Kolkata after protests erupted over allegations of blasphemy regarding her autobiography, “Dwikhandito” (Divided). The then-CPM government had banned the book. The author, who lived in Kolkata between 2004 and 2007, currently resides in Delhi on a long-term residence permit.
Now, on August 1, 2026, she is scheduled to attend an event at Rabindra Sadan organised to oppose religious fundamentalism. This will be her first visit to the city since 2007, undertaken at the joint invitation of three organisations.
The organisers state that the author, whom the Bangladeshi government had once accused of defaming Islam, will recite some of her poems and participate in a discussion following a civic reception held in her honour. Suvendu Adhikari, State Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta, and author Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay are also expected to attend the event.
Taslima Nasrin is a Bangladeshi-Swedish author and secular humanist
Taslima Nasrin is a Bangladeshi-Swedish author and secular humanist whose works have been translated into numerous languages. Her body of work, including novels, poems, and memoirs, is praised for championing women’s rights and criticising religious extremism. Because of her controversial and candid writing, she has lived in exile since 1994.
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