'Days Of Threat Culture Over, Come As Many Times As You Want': CM Suvendu Welcomes Taslima Nasreen To Kolkata

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday welcomed exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen at a felicitation event in the city, assuring her of full security and freedom to visit the state repeatedly.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister declared that the era of threat culture in Bengal had ended.

“Days of threat culture are over, come to Bengal as many times you want. Everyone has the right to exercise freedom of speech in Bengal under the new government,” he said. He further assured Nasreen of personal protection, stating, “It is my duty as CM to provide you with security whenever you visit Bengal.”

Nasreen, who has lived in exile for years, expressed a deep sense of belonging upon her return after 19 years.

"Europe has given me citizenship and place to live, but unfortunately I couldn't get small space to stay in two Bengals...In 2007, Govt ordered me to leave Kolkata. What was my crime?," she asked.

"No court has ever punished me; but I had to pay the price because of fundamentalists...After returning to Kolkata, I feel like coming back to a part of life which I left behind here," she remarked.

She also hoped that a time will come when Bangladesh will be a safer nation for women and minorities.

"I have spoken against Islamic fundamentalists as I saw them closely since childhood..."Rise of fundamentalism in Bangladesh is at an alarming stage, and freedom of speech is being curtailed…I hope for a day when women and minorities in Bangladesh can live without fear," she said.

Reflecting on her own experiences and the challenges faced by writers, she added, “I dream of a day when no writer would need to be exiled from her country.”

She also advocated for free thinking among people in the Muslim community and for equal rights for women.

“I want the practice of free thinking to grow within Muslim society and for women to enjoy equal rights,” Nasreen said.

The felicitation event marked a notable moment of solidarity for the author, with the Chief Minister’s remarks underscoring the state government’s commitment to free expression and safety for visiting intellectuals.

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