Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen has issued a stark response following the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, revisiting decades of censorship, exile, and curtailed freedom of expression under Zia’s leadership.
In a post on X, Nasreen recalled how several of her books were banned during governments led by Khaleda Zia and how legal cases were filed against her for allegedly “hurting religious sentiments.” She accused Zia of siding with fundamentalist groups and said an arrest warrant and state pressure ultimately forced her into exile, first to Sweden in 1994 and later to India.
Nasreen questioned whether Zia’s death would now lead to the lifting of bans on her works, including Lajja (1993), Utal Hawa (2002), Ka (2003), and Those Dark Days (2004). She argued that while Zia was alive, no effort was made to restore freedom of expression by reversing these bans.
Among the most controversial works, Lajja highlighted violence against Hindus in Bangladesh following the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992. Though the ban was briefly lifted, sustained protests led to its reimposition. Additional titles were also prohibited in 1994, citing threats to public order and religious sentiments.
Khaleda Zia, former prime minister and BNP chief, died at 80 after a prolonged illness. Her death has reignited debate over censorship, political responsibility, and the future of free expression in Bangladesh.