Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasrin has asserted that she will continue to fight fundamentalism, extremism and intolerance and stand for freedom, equality and human dignity.
Speaking after receiving the lifetime achievement award instituted by Litmus 2025, a collective of freethinkers and atheists, here on Sunday, Ms. Nasrin said she had criticised all kinds of religions, patriarchal traditions, cultures, and customs while supporting women’s rights.
“My criticism is proportionate to the harm a religion inflicts. The more a religion violates human rights, oppresses women, fosters intolerance, and spreads cruelty and barbarism, the more I will challenge it. I have always stood beside the oppressed, whoever they are. I have defended Muslims whenever they were persecuted, just as I have defended Hindus oppressed in Bangladesh or Christians oppressed in Pakistan. To me, religious identity is irrelevant. Human beings may believe or not believe—but no one should be oppressed for their belief or non-belief,” she said.
According to her, no country has ever become civilised without criticising the dogmatic practices of its religions. “Without separating state and religion, no State or society has ever become modern. Freedom of speech and expression must include the right to differ, to offend as well as to praise—a truth that most people in many countries neither know nor accept. Without the right to offend, freedom of expression cannot exist. And without freedom of expression, democracy will not work, she said.
