Taslima Nasrin calls for UCC across subcontinent, wants ban on madrasas

Exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin on Sunday (August 2, 2026) called for all countries of the Indian subcontinent to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), arguing that this was needed to protect women from discrimination.

“Uniform Civil Code is a must. This is the first step for any civilised society,” Ms. Nasrin said, interacting with journalists in Kolkata. The Bengali writer said that she has been fighting for the UCC for the past 40 years and added that “if women come under religious laws, there is discrimination and persecution”. Delivering a speech in Kolkata on Saturday (August 1), she had said that India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan should have a uniform law for all their citizens.

“Due to religious laws, women are suffering. Hindus are being tortured in Bangladesh. During the Yunus regime, Hindus were tortured even more. In many madrasas and mosques, hatred is being taught against Hindus. Now we have Jamaat-e-Islami as an Opposition party. It is against women’s equality, and they want Sharia rule,” she said, reflecting on the situation in her home country.

The author’s remarks come at a time when the West Bengal government has announced plans to implement UCC in the State and has set up a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to look into the provisions of a draft UCC Bill.

Return to Kolkata

Ms. Nasrin arrived in Kolkata on July 31, almost 19 years after she was forced to leave the city due to violent protests by a mob upset with her writings during the Left Front government. Prior to this, she was exiled from Bangladesh in 1994.

Her return to Kolkata was celebrated by West Bengal’s first BJP government, even as she shared the stage with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Asked for her view on different governments in the State, she said, “One government had forced me out, another did not allow me to return, and one government has helped me to return,” she said.

‘Some madrasas produce jihadis’

Ms. Nasrin also came down hard against madrasas, saying that some of these “religious schools produce jihadis”. “In my opinion, madrasas should not exist. Not in all cases, but in some, it is seen that jihadis are being produced in madrasas,” the writer said. Alleging that “child abuse is going on there, rapes are happening, and imams and madrasa teachers are being held,” she opined that “there is no need for madrasas to exist.”

“No one does anything after passing out of madrasas. They beg, survive on charity. Madrasas should go, and secular schools should come up instead,” Ms. Nasrin said.

Freedom of speech

The Bengali writer also expressed anguish over an incident during Saturday’s (August 1) event, where the crowd prevented Bengali poet Joy Goswami from addressing the gathering. The poet is considered to be close to the Trinamool Congress regime. Ms. Nasrin had called Mr. Goswami to take his seat on the stage when the people gathered started shouting.

“Not only was Mr. Goswami insulted, but I was also insulted because I had invited him,” she said. “In my speech, I spoke about freedom of expression. Everyone should be allowed to speak. It is not right to stop anyone from expressing their views,” she said.