In recent times, Begum Rokeya, a pioneer of feminism in Bangladesh and the author of the globally celebrated Sultana’s Dream, has faced growing hatred in some Facebook groups like Anti Feminist Community and among extremist toxic masculinity circles. These groups have labeled her as anti-women and accused her of promoting “toxic feminism,” twisting her legacy in shocking ways. After the political changes following August 5, Begum Rokeya’s mural was vandalized with nasty slurs. Although it was cleaned later, the hate against her continued to spread. Her writings, once seen as a symbol of progress and equality, are now controversial in her own country, even as they remain celebrated worldwide. This raises an important question: what went wrong?
Bangladesh Feminist Archives 