Taslima Nasreen backs UCC, says India, Bangladesh, Pakistan need it
Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen on Sunday strongly backed the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in India, saying such a law was essential to
Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen on Sunday strongly backed the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in India, saying such a law was essential to remove discrimination, especially against women. She said Bangladesh and Pakistan also needed a Uniform Civil Code, and argued that there should be equal laws for everyone. Speaking to reporters in Kolkata during her first visit to the city in nearly 19 years, Nasreen also expressed anguish over a disruption at her felicitation ceremony a day earlier, when poet Joy Goswami was forced to leave the stage amid objections from a section of the audience. She said the incident went against the principle of freedom of expression, which Kolkata had long stood for. Read Full Story "I have been fighting for the UCC for the past 40 years. This is much needed in any civilised country. Bangladesh, Pakistan and India need a Uniform Civil Code. There should be equal laws for everyone. Women face a great deal of discrimination, and much of it can be removed through a UCC. It is essential," Nasreen said. Her remarks came as the West Bengal government has constituted a high-level committee to examine a draft Uniform Civil Code for the state. A government notification said the panel was formed in view of the "wide ramifications and voluminous nature" of the proposed legislation and would undertake a comprehensive examination of the draft Bill before any further steps are taken.
Referring to Bangladesh, the 63-year-old writer said equality was the cornerstone of civilisation, but many women continued to face discrimination. "In Bangladesh, Hindu women do not have equal rights. They cannot inherit their father's property. If Hindu women are to enjoy freedom and equal rights, a Uniform Civil Code is necessary," she said. Nasreen was felicitated at a state government programme at Rabindra Sadan on Saturday after returning to Kolkata for the first time since 2007, when protests over the publication of her book Dwikhandito forced the then Left Front government to move her out of the city. She had left Bangladesh in 1994 after receiving death threats from radical groups over her writings and views on religion. Recalling the disruption at Saturday's event, Nasreen said she felt "insulted" after Goswami was prevented from speaking. "Not only was Joy insulted, but I was also insulted because I had invited him," she said. The controversy erupted after she invited Goswami onto the stage and asked him to address the gathering, but loud objections from a section of the audience forced him to step down without speaking. "In my speech, I had spoken about freedom of expression. Everyone should be allowed to speak. It is not right to stop anyone from expressing their views," she said. Questioning the conduct of those who objected, she added, "Those who appreciated my speech were the ones who did not allow him to come on the stage.
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