'Madrasas Shouldn't Exist, They Produce Jihadists': Taslima Nasrin Wants Sheikh Hasina Back In Bangladesh
'Madrasas Shouldn't Exist, They Produce Jihadists': Taslima Nasrin Wants Sheikh Hasina Back In Bangladesh Published By, Last Updated: August 02, 2026, 16:53 IST According to
'Madrasas Shouldn't Exist, They Produce Jihadists': Taslima Nasrin Wants Sheikh Hasina Back In Bangladesh Published By, Last Updated: August 02, 2026, 16:53 IST According to Taslima, some mosques in Bangladesh have become centres of jihadist activity, and the government should exercise oversight and control over them. Exiled Bangladeshi Author Taslima Nasreen. (File Photo) Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasrin has made a series of strong remarks on Bangladesh’s political and social situation, calling for the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a secular state, and a Uniform Civil Code. She also criticised the role of madrasas and expressed concern over the growing religious fundamentalism in the country. Calls for secular Bangladesh Taslima Nasrin said she believes madrasas in Bangladesh should not exist. “The madrasas in Bangladesh should not exist. In many cases, madrasas have been found to be producing jihadists. Imams and madrasa teachers have been arrested and sent to jail. I do not believe there is any need for madrasas. Many graduates do not go on to do productive work; they survive on donations," she said. She also called for Bangladesh to become a secular country.
According to Taslima, some mosques have become centres of jihadist activity, and the government should exercise oversight and control over them. “If a country wants to be truly secular, religion must be separated from the state. These are the kinds of measures that help a society progress," she said. Remarks on Bangladesh politics Speaking about the political situation in Bangladesh, Nasrin said she did not see any decline in the influence of fundamentalist groups. “I do not see any signs of it declining. On the contrary, it is increasing. Jamaat-e-Islami will now have a presence in Parliament. It would have been better if the Awami League had remained the principal opposition party," she said. She also said there was “no difference" between the Tarique Rahman era and the Yunus era in Bangladesh. “In fact, Hindus have faced greater persecution during Yunus’s tenure," she said. Nasrin further alleged that the Bangladesh government does not take action against people who torture Hindus. She also claimed that hatred towards non-Muslims is taught in many madrasas and said Hindus, Buddhists and Christians face persecution in Bangladesh.
“What is needed most is education. Everyone has the right to live. Instead of building more temples and madrasas, there should be greater emphasis on education," she said. Taslima Nasrin added that she had protested several times over the issue of Chinmoy Krishna Das. Push for Uniform Civil Code Nasrin said she has been campaigning for a Uniform Civil Code for the past 40 years. “I have been fighting for a Uniform Civil Code for the last 40 years. This subcontinent needs a Uniform Civil Code. In particular, women should not be governed by religion-based personal laws," she said. Referring to Bangladesh, she said daughters do not have equal inheritance rights in their father’s property. She also claimed that many Hindu men enter into multiple marriages and that women cannot obtain a divorce. According to her, Hindu women in Bangladesh need a Uniform Civil Code to secure their rights because religion-based personal laws continue to discriminate against women. She also said, “Any religion that turns women into sexual slaves is something they should leave behind." India and Sheikh Hasina Taslima Nasrin expressed hope that relations between India and Bangladesh would improve, saying India had made a huge contribution to Bangladesh’s independence.
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