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A well written saga of men and religion
Apr 22, 2005 10:14 AM 55690 Views
(Updated May 08, 2006 06:19 AM)

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''We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another'', said Jonathan Swift, the famous author, and after reading this book called Lajja, I cannot agree with him any better. Lajja literally means Shame and true to its title, I believe, that every right thinking human being, after reading this book would be ashamed of the religious fanatism that exists today in different parts of the world. One of my friends from once said ''We belong to a country where religion is politicized, politics is criminalized and crimes are nationalised''. This is indeed a shame and the book under review talks about all this and even more..


Taslima Nasreen, the author of this book, is a physician, born in Bangladesh to orthodox parents. In 1980s she came to limelight as a poet, columnist, and strong feminist. When Taslima got this book published, she earned the wrath of Islamic fundamentalists and clergy. Her book was banned in her country and a Fatwa( religious ostracization) was issued against her. Further, she had to seek political asylum in France to save her life. Taslima was extremely bold, she remained untramelled by all these and kept writing on similiar lines. It is not just because she is intrepid, it is her uncanny knack of story telling and an extremely limpid writing style that make her extremely popular among the erudite circle.


Her book Lajja, is set in the backdrop of the Babri masjid demolition saga, back in the year 1992, which caused a strong religious, political and social impact, and resulted in riots in sensitive areas throughout the subcontinent. The stage is set in Bangladesh and the tale revolves around an extremely patriotic Hindu family. Suranjan, a prodigal middle aged man with little or no accomplishment in his life to boast about, is a son of a doctor (Sudhamoy) with strong national values. Sudhamoy supported his clan during the national movement and worked for the cause of the nation and in turn, his own country men for whom he stood for, rewarded him by mutilating his genitals! Despite all this, he strongly believed that Bangladesh was his home and refused to move to Kolkata( India).


Suranjan despite being deprived of opportunities due to his religious background, very much like his father, loves his motherland. Sudhamoy's wife Kiranmoyee is depicted as a very kind and a loveable character who stands by her husband and her family during the testing times.


Their daughter Maya, a vivacious lady is distraught with compatriots' attitude towards them and her family's idealism to remain in their country even during the hour of peril. The story speaks about the attrocities and cruelities inflicted on Hindus in general and Sudhamoy's family in particular during the riots. The story is gripping and the climax is extremely poingnant.


Taslima in her tale, butresses her fiction with facts. Her attempt in this book is not to malign any religion, it is an earnest entreat to the human race to embrace humanity and shun fanatism. I recommend this book with great pleasure. I wish the extremists who kill men in the name religion, get a chance to read this book.


Lajja is easily one of the finest I have ever read


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