A cultural event marking exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen’s return to Kolkata after nearly two decades was briefly disrupted on Saturday after she invited acclaimed Bengali poet Joy Goswami onto the stage.
The incident sparked a commotion among those present, leading to a temporary interruption of Nasreen’s address before the programme resumed.
The event had been organised to mark Nasreen’s return to Kolkata, her first visit to the city in almost 20 years.
Protest began as soon as called to stage
As Taslima Nasreen took to the stage to begin her address, she invited acclaimed Bengali poet and Sahitya Akademi Award recipient Joy Goswami, who was seated in the audience, to join her.
However, as Goswami rose from his seat and walked towards the stage, a section of the audience began shouting slogans and protesting loudly, forcing the poet to return to his seat.
The disruption briefly halted the programme, with Nasreen standing silently at the microphone while organisers repeatedly appealed to the audience to remain calm. Despite their requests, the commotion continued for some time.
Addressing the crowd, Nasreen said, “May I speak? So please be quiet and sit in your seats.”
Following her appeal, the audience settled down and the programme resumed, allowing Nasreen to continue her speech.
As soon as the poet Joy Goswami rose from his seat to the stage, a section of the audience started shouting loudly.
Goswami’s silence and closeness to Mamata became the reason
The protest was reportedly triggered by allegations that Joy Goswami had remained silent during the years of Taslima Nasreen’s exile. A section of the audience also expressed anger over what they perceived as the poet’s closeness to former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
However, Goswami has previously spoken publicly about Nasreen’s prolonged exile, expressing regret over the circumstances surrounding her departure. He has also said he blamed himself for not doing enough to support Nasreen when she was forced to leave Kolkata in 2007.
Taslima says – injustice may be long, but it is not permanent
The cultural programme was held just hours after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari conferred a civic honour on Taslima Nasreen at the state secretariat. The visit marks Nasreen’s first return to Kolkata in 19 years.
Addressing the audience, Nasreen said her return was proof that “injustice can be long, but not permanent”. She also expressed hope that one day no writer would be forced into exile for exercising the right to freedom of expression.
Nasreen was compelled to leave Kolkata in November 2007 following violent protests over her presence in the city.
Subhendu says – Taslima’s return is the restoration of freedom of expression
Earlier, West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday assured Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen that she would be given full security whenever she visits the state.
Speaking at a literary event on anti-radicalism at Rabindra Sadan in Kolkata, the CM said the state has entered an era where freedom of expression and constitutional rights will be protected.
Not just once, you can come to West Bengal as many times as you wish. You will have complete security. The CM presented Nasreen with a photograph of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and informed her that this year marks the 150th anniversary of the creation of “Vande Mataram.”
