Kolkata, July 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Renowned Bangladeshi author and poet Taslima Nasrin returned to Kolkata on Friday, nearly 19 years after leaving the city in 2007 following unrest linked to the publication of her book Dwikhandito (The Bifurcated).
Nasrin arrived at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at around 12:50 p.m., where she was welcomed by supporters with the blowing of conch shells. Expressing her emotions on returning to the city, she said, “I feel so good to come here again.”
During her visit, Nasrin is scheduled to address a cultural programme at Rabindra Sadan on Saturday. The event has been organised by several cultural organisations, including Secular Mission. According to sources, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is also expected to attend the programme.
In view of security concerns surrounding the author, the West Bengal Police have made elaborate security arrangements for her stay in the state.
Nasrin left Kolkata in 2007 after violence erupted in parts of the city over Dwikhandito. The unrest, particularly in some minority-dominated localities, prompted the deployment of the Army to restore order. The then Left Front government led by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee subsequently banned the circulation of the book in West Bengal and Nasrin left the state.
Her departure drew criticism from sections of the literary community, which questioned the government’s decision to restrict the author’s stay and ban her work despite its stated commitment to freedom of expression and secular values.
According to the report, Nasrin did not return to Kolkata during the Trinamool Congress governments that were in power from 2011 until 2026.
FOLLOW NOW
