'I couldn't find even a small place to stay in either of the two Bengals': Taslima Nasreen

Kolkata: Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, who returned to Kolkata after nearly 19 years, on Saturday said she opposes "all forms of fundamentalism" and dreams of a day "when no writer would need to be exiled from her country.”

She recalled that although Europe gave her citizenship and a place to live, she "couldn't find even a small place to stay in either of the two Bengals."

Speaking at an anti-fundamentalism literary event at Rabindra Sadan, Nasreen said she was not there to support or oppose any political party, but to speak in favour of women's rights and freedom of expression.

"I am against all forms of fundamentalism. I have spoken against Islamic fundamentalists because I saw them closely since childhood," she said.

Nasreen also said, "No court has ever punished me, but I had to pay the price because of fundamentalists."

Reflecting on her return to the city, she said, "After returning to Kolkata, I feel like coming back to a part of life which I left behind here."

Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari assured Nasreen of full security whenever she visits the state, saying it was the government's responsibility to ensure her safety and that everyone was free to exercise their right to free speech under the BJP government.

"It is my duty as the Chief Minister of the state to provide you with security whenever you visit," Adhikari said.

He also invited the exiled writer to visit the state as often as she wished.

"Whenever you want, you can come here as many times as you want," he said.

Referring to the change in the political climate in the state, Adhikari said the new government was committed to protecting freedom of expression.

"Everyone has the right to exercise their freedom of speech in West Bengal under the new government," he said.

The chief minister also declared that "the days of threats and intimidation are over", in an apparent reference to the circumstances under which Nasreen had left Kolkata in 2007 following violent protests over her writings.

The exiled Bangladeshi author had lived in Kolkata between 2004 and 2007 before being asked to leave the city by the then Left Front government amid violent protests over portions of her memoir.