Taslima Nasreen. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Writer Taslima Nasreen is free to move anywhere in the country, the Union Government has informed BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya, who had demanded in Parliament that she be allowed to return to West Bengal.
In response to a Rajya Sabha parliamentary query, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has confirmed that the exiled Bangladeshi author has been granted an Indian visa of appropriate category and duration, allowing her the freedom to move anywhere in India, including Kolkata. The assurance came in a letter addressed to the Rajya Sabha MP by Union Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh, dated May 5, 2025.
The response follows Mr. Bhattacharya’s intervention during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha on March 17 when he demanded the safe return of Ms. Nasreen to Kolkata. “Taslima Nasreen wants to come back to Kolkata. This city is like a city of life to her. She wants to compose her work in Bengali,” Mr. Bhattacharya added. He also said that Ms. Nasreen wanted to live and compose her work forever in West Bengal and should be allowed the freedom.
Mr. Singh, in his written reply, stated: “We have taken note of your concerns… She is free to move anywhere in India within the terms of the existing rules.”
Ms. Nasreen had accused the West Bengal government of ‘forcefully’ removing her play Lajja from the State’s theatre festivals. Lajja is one of the most popular and most controversial books by the author which has evoked mixed reviews across the globe.
The development assumes significance as Ms. Nasreen has lived in exile since mid-1990s, after facing threats from Islamist groups for her outspoken writings on women’s rights and religious extremism. She has openly voiced her concerns over the extremisms of Islam and has been criticised by many for her writings and opinions against the religion.
Though India has periodically renewed her visa, her stay has often been restricted to Delhi, sparking debates around freedom of movement and human rights of the author. Her long-standing desire to return to Kolkata — a city she once called home — has been a recurring issue raised by civil society and rights activists. Many a time BJP MPs have backed her up, including in the issue over her play. Lok Sabha MP Sukanta Majumdar had publicly voiced his support for her.
The Environment Ministry’s letter has also been sent to officials at the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs, indicating a coordinated administrative follow-up.
Published – May 10, 2025 02:00 am IST
