Throwback: 1994
Taslima Nasrin, a renowned Bangladeshi feminist writer, doctor, and women’s rights activist, was photographed outside Dhaka’s High Court on August 3, 1994, discussing her case with her chief lawyer, Amirul Islam, after being granted immediate bail. Just seven days later, on August 10, 1994, Nasrin fled Bangladesh for Sweden to escape prosecution and death threats from fundamentalist groups.
As a vocal critic of Islamic fundamentalism and patriarchy, Nasrin’s writing sparked outrage among extremist groups. Her novel “Lajja” (Shame) particularly drew attention for its portrayal of a Hindu family’s struggles in a Muslim-dominated society. The backlash was severe, with hundreds of thousands of protesters demanding her execution and a fatwa calling for her death.
Nasrin’s exile lasted for decades, during which she continued to advocate for human rights, secularism, and women’s empowerment. She has written over 30 books of poetry, essays, novels, and memoirs, and her work has been translated into 20 languages. Despite ongoing threats, Nasrin remains a powerful voice for freedom of expression and social justice.
(Photo by MUFTY MUNIR/AFP FILES/AFP via Getty Images)
Bangladesh Feminist Archives 