Exiled Bangladeshi author speaks Friday on struggle for equality

After Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasrin’s first documentary novel was published in 1993, the government of Banladesh banned it; Islamic fundamentalists demanded she be executed, and a price was placed on her head.

As death threats and fatwas, or “holy judgments,” accumulated against her, Nasrin was forced into hiding and eventually fled the country.

Now widely respected as an author, doctor, human rights activist and symbol of free speech, Nasrin will come to IU this Friday to speak about her experiences in a lecture entitled, “My Life: A Struggle for Equality.” Part of her speech will include the reaction to her novel “Lajja,” meaning “Shame.”

The inspiration for her book came when Hindu zealots in India destroyed the 450-year-old Babri mosque, which they believed was erected atop the birthplace of Lord Rama, an important god in the Hindu religion.

This sparked violent retaliation from the minority Muslim population in India. The sectarian conflicts then traveled to bordering countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, where Hindus are a vulnerable minority.

Governments in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh did virtually nothing to protect their minority populations.

“We can condemn all governments involved in one breath for their failure to protect vulnerable minorities, whether they be Muslims or Hindus,” said Dr. Sumit Ganguly, political science professor and director of the India Studies Program.

Nasrin’s book, “Shame,” is about the retaliatory actions against a Hindu family in Bangladesh. Although the family in the story is fictional, the criticism in Nasrin’s book incited demonstrations, lawsuits and demands for her death – but she kept writing.

“She has shown phenomenal courage in terms of standing up for the rights of women both in the subcontinent and throughout the world,” Ganguly said. “Her life has been threatened on a number of occasions by narrow-minded people, and she continues to display exemplary courage.”

To Steven Raymer, associate professor of journalism and India studies, Nasrin represents someone who has faced intolerance and prevailed.

“She is a courageous example for all of us as someone who is true to herself and true to her beliefs,” he said.

Raymer, who has traveled and worked in India numerous times, said Nasrin’s book opened his eyes to sectarian strife in bordering countries. Nasrin’s speech will present students with an opportunity to learn about the religious and ethnic divides in the Indian subcontinent, he said.

Since then, Nasrin has written several books including three novels, three essay collections and three short story collections. She has also become known as an outspoken advocate against oppressive governments.

Nasrin will give her speech, which is free and open to the public, at 5 p.m. Friday in the Faculty Room of the University Club in the Indiana Memorial Union. Her’s is the first of five speeches in the India Studies Program’s Spring lecture series.

“Its not just about India,” Ganguly said. “This is about human rights, women’s rights and social activism.”