Why Taslima Nasreen's Kolkata return is a powder keg for Bengal politics

Taslima Nasreen's planned return to Kolkata after nearly two decades has triggered a political face-off in West Bengal, with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) trading barbs over the exiled Bangladeshi author's visit.Nasreen, who was forced to leave the city in 2007 following violent protests over her writings, is scheduled to attend an anti-fundamentalism literary event in Kolkata on August 1, reviving a long-running debate over free speech, secularism and religious sensitivities.Nasreen announced on social media that she would be in Kolkata on August 1 to participate in an anti-fundamentalism literary event at Rabindra Sadan, where she is expected to recite poetry. The event, organised by secular and anti-fundamentalist groups, has assumed political significance amid renewed debate over freedom of expression and religious sensitivities in the state.Political reactions sharpen ahead of Nasreen's visitThe announcement drew sharp reactions from both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).Responding to Nasreen's visit, TMC MLA Akhruzzaman told news agency IANS, "Look, Taslima Nasrin was a writer from Bangladesh. She has said a lot against the Muslim community, against Shariat in Islam. If someone speaks against the Muslims then the double engine government will respect them, what is there to say."The BJP, meanwhile, projected Nasreen's return as symbolic of a changed political environment in West Bengal.State minister Agnimitra Paul criticised previous governments for failing to protect the author. "Everyone's support, everyone's development, everyone's faith, everyone's effort and everyone's accountability. Accountability is being done, the Left government couldn't provide protection to such a talented writer like Taslima Nasrin, they did politics with Muslims but could not provide protection, rather I would say they didn't give protection and leave aside the regime of Mamata Banerjee. Today is 1st, I have heard that Taslima ji is coming.... I am a big fan of her book..." she said.Nasreen rose to global prominence in the early 1990s for her feminist writings and criticism of religious orthodoxy. She fled Bangladesh in 1994 after multiple fatwas were issued against her following the publication of her novel Lajja, which documented the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh after the demolition of the Babri Masjid.After spending years in Europe and the United States, she moved to India in 2004 and settled in Kolkata, calling the city her closest cultural home in exile.However, her stay ended in November 2007 after excerpts from her autobiographical work Dwikhandita sparked protests by sections of Muslim organisations. The demonstrations turned violent in parts of Kolkata, prompting Army deployment to restore order.The then left front government led by Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee subsequently asked Nasreen to leave the city. She was shifted to Jaipur and later to Delhi, where she initially remained under house arrest before the Centre granted her a long-term residence permit and a multiple-entry visa.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.