BANGALORE: Taslima Nasrin's Lajja, one of the most controversial bestsellers in the world, has turned 20.
As bibliophiles across the world celebrated Banned Books Week from September 21-27, Nasrin, an award-winning author of 37 books, memoirist, physician, humanist and human rights activist, looked back at the long road she has travelled with Lajja.
The 20th anniversary edition of the book (published by Penguin) has been freshly translated by Anchita Ghatak. In an exclusive conversation with City Express, Nasrin offers glimpses of her tumultuous and hugely courageous life:
Exile and hope
During the years of exile, (I saw that) Western women now enjoy equality that feminists once upon a time fought for, but in South Asia, we still fight for women’s basic human rights. Then and now, my dream keeps me going. I dream of a beautiful world where no one will be oppressed. I dream of a progressive, healthy society. A world where all people live peacefully, and equality and justice between men and women will exist. I do not think that I will see such a society in my lifetime. But I live with the hope.
A rebel is born
I have since childhood questioned diktat, advice and proscriptions from family and society. When I, unlike my brothers, wasn’t allowed to play outside, when I was called ‘impure’ during my menstruation period, or when I was told by some relatives and neighbours that I had grown up and must cover myself completely in a burqa if I wanted to step out, I questioned, I did not follow their orders. When strange boys hurled abuses at me, snatched my scarf or pinched my breasts as I walked by, I protested. I couldn’t stomach it when I saw husbands beating their wives, young mothers weeping in anxiety and fear at having given birth to a baby girl. Upon observing the shame on the faces of raped women, I felt their pain acutely; I broke down when I heard about women and children being trafficked from city to city, from one country to another to be forced into prostitution. Nothing could make me accept the torture of women by men, society, the state. But no one witnessed my pain, my tears, the non-acquiescence, the non-acceptance, the speechlessness, the inability to tolerate, the screams, the logic and reason— that is, until I started writing.
Unanswered questions
The society I grew up in engendered questions in the minds of many. They were forced to accept the answers given by the leaders of patriarchy. I didn’t accept their answers. No one taught me to be disobedient. I didn’t learn defiance from a book. It is not necessary to read heavy books to be aware; one just needs eyes to observe. No one helps build courage either. In order to demand rights for women, one doesn’t need to internalise Simone de Beauvoir or Gloria Steinem; one’s own awareness is often good enough. If I’m hungry, I shall eat; if I am lashed, I shall wrest away the lash; if I am oppressed, I shall stand up—these sentiments are universal. Feminism is not a property of the West. It is the arduous struggle by abused, oppressed, tortured, disrespected, ignored women coming together, putting their lives at stake, for the sake of their rights.
Life lessons
My father was a secular humanist and my mother was very kindhearted. After reading the books of great writers, I find I am actually more influenced by my father and mother. There are many favourite writers, though. The more I read, the more I evolve. My favourites ten years ago are no longer my favourites. I discover new authors. Sometimes I feel good readers should live at least for 50,000 years to read all the books they love.
'Not against Islam'
By supporting women’s rights everywhere, I have criticised all misogynistic religions, traditions, cultures, and customs. But, to my surprise, I am labelled anti-Islam.
This has led to some people saying I am a Muslim-hater. But they are wrong. By no means am I a Muslim-hater! I always stand by oppressed people. I stood by the Muslims when they were oppressed in Gujarat, in Palestine, and Bosnia. I defended their right to live, just as I stood by the Hindus who are oppressed in Bangladesh, and the Christians in Pakistan.
To me, their religious identity is not important. I consider them human beings. Nobody should be oppressed because of her or his belief. The criticism I make of the religions, I do by writing. I do not go to harm the believers physically. I do not believe in violence. The fanatics never accept the idea of having a dialogue with me, or write articles or books opposing me. They come to kill me, for they are convinced by their belief in their religion that an apostate must be killed.
Book ban years
The sad thing is: the West Bengal government banned my book Lajja because 25 intellectuals asked the government to ban it. It was banned on the charges of hurting the religious feelings of people. In a civilised country, writers defend writers’ freedom of expression and oppose banning and censorship. The good thing is: A human rights organisation filed a case and after two years, the Kolkata High Court lifted the ban.
Source of courage
The strength comes from my honesty. I am telling the truth and I know that there are people who need to know this truth. The truth that I am telling changes their lives. I believe it is important to fight against injustice and inequality. And it is important to give other women some strength to revolt against the oppressive system that I grew up under and which still continues to oppress them.
Women in India
Intolerance, fanaticism and the bigotry of Islamist fundamentalists forced me to leave Bangladesh, and since then I have sought refuge in India. When I was allowed to enter India, again, not for an instant did I feel out of place. Even after spending decades in Europe, it never felt like home. However, I felt a deep connection with India; I felt I knew the people; I had grown up somewhere very similar, almost indistinguishable. I wanted my writing to contribute in some way to the empowerment of women.
Moreover, I wanted to do everything possible to make people aware of the need for secular education to become enlightened, rational, and peace-loving. In India, women have been victims of female foeticide, infanticide, dowry murder, bride burning, gang-rape, slave trade, sexual slavery, and domestic violence and I am trying my best to fight all kinds of discrimination against women by raising awareness.
Meaning of freedom
Male-dominated society will abuse you with violent misogyny if you are a woman with opinions. I struggled for years to live as an independent human being in a patriarchal society. I did not care what people said to me. I lived alone almost all my adult life and enjoyed my freedom. It was not easy though. Economic freedom, self-esteem, and the ability to reject a patriarchal misogynistic system are the keys for women to live with dignity.
No rewrite
Would I want to change anything in Lajja? Not much really.