Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen in Kolkata on Friday. (PTI Photo)
Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen on Sunday called for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, arguing that such a law was necessary to eliminate discrimination, especially against women.”All advanced countries have UCC-like laws. Bangladesh, Pakistan and India need a Uniform Civil Code. There should be equal laws for everyone. Women face a great deal of discrimination, and much of it can be removed through a UCC. It is essential,” Nasreen told reporters at a press conference in Kolkata, where she returned after nearly two decades.Last month, the BJP-led West Bengal government constituted a high-level committee to examine a draft Uniform Civil Code for the state.Nasreen left Kolkata in 2007 after protests over the publication of her book Dwikhandito (Split: A Life) forced the then Left Front government to move her out of the West Bengal capital.Talking about her native Bangladesh, the 63-year-old writer claimed that many women, particularly Hindus, continued to face discrimination in the country. Nasreen left Bangladesh in 1994 after facing protests and threats from Islamist groups over her writings. “In Bangladesh, Hindu women do not have equal rights. They cannot inherit their father’s property. If Hindu women are to enjoy freedom and equal rights, a Uniform Civil Code is necessary,” she added.Nasreen also expressed anguish over the disruption during her felicitation ceremony in the city a day earlier, saying she felt “insulted” after noted poet Joy Goswami was forced to leave the stage amid protests by a section of the audience.”Not only was Joy insulted, but I was also insulted because I had invited him,” she stated.The controversy erupted after Nasreen invited Goswami onto the stage and requested him to address the gathering. However, loud objections from a section of the audience forced the celebrated poet to step down without speaking.
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Recalling the incident, she said, “In my speech, I had spoken about freedom of expression. Everyone should be allowed to speak. It is not right to stop anyone from expressing their views.”She also questioned the conduct of the protesters: “Those who appreciated my speech were the ones who did not allow him to come on the stage. Didn’t they also question me? It is contradictory. When someone speaks about freedom of expression, people support it, but when a poet is invited to speak, they do not want to hear him. That is not right.”(With PTI inputs)
