Taslima Nasreen's Kolkata visit sparks political row
Taslima Nasreen is scheduled to participate in an anti-fundamentalism literary event at Rabindra Sadan in Kolkata on August 1, 2026.
Her visit has triggered political reactions in West Bengal, with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) exchanging criticisms.
TMC MLA Akhruzzaman criticized Nasreen for statements against the Muslim community and Shariat, while BJP minister Agnimitra Paul praised her and criticized past governments for failing to protect her.
Nasreen was forced to leave Kolkata in 2007 after violent protests over her writings, and has been exiled since then.
The event revives debate over free speech, secularism, and religious sensitivities in West Bengal.
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