Taslima Nazrin is one of the noted revolutionary woman writers. She hails from the Indian state of Bengal. Her first novel, 'Lajja' was released in 1993. It garnered bouquets and brickbats alike. Though it proposedly praised womanhood, many Muslim fundamentalist factions opposed it. Following that, she released two more novels,' Shoth' and 'Pera' which created even more problems for Taslima.
If a Muslim man does not like his wife, he can divorce her by just repeating aloud three words. This can separate her from him forever without any legal notices or papers. Taslima discussed this issue threadbare out in one of her books, which enraged and wounded Muslim sensibilities. A fatwa was issued for her death. The Bangladesh Government also decided to ban all her published books. A frustrated Taslima moved to England and now lives in London.
While in India, Taslima spent some days in Mumbai, where she was welcomed with open hands by Shabna Azmi, famed actress and noted social worker and her husband Javed Akhtar, noted lyricist. Though many people protested and picketed her hotel, Taslima was a celebrity of sorts. Mumbai's famous journalist, Javed Anand, and Nixil Vaghle praised her open-heartedly for her bold voice of reform.
Taslima's three novels, 'Shoth', 'Lajja' and 'Pera' were translated in Marathi and compiled as a single omnibus edition. Taslima's novels are a big hit with women's liberation organizations and equal-rights movements etc. Living in Paris, she's currently working on her autobiography. Even before going to the press, some of her lines have found pride of place in famous magazines. When asked about Paris (France), she feels that people's rights are being respected in Europe. Her books in French are being translated into various languages. Taslima's writings bring home the unpalatable fact that women, and especially women belonging to a certain community, are suffering from indignity in their own homes. Their education is very poor. They're financially unprepared to meet life on its own terms.
And Taslima's is the lone voice that has given a clarion call for their redemption.
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