Sep 11, 2003 12:43 PM
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(Updated Sep 11, 2003 12:48 PM)
''Lajja''by Taslima Nasreen is an exposition of true and real life hatred that runs in the veins and arteries of religious fanatics and fundamentalists of our subcontinent. Though the novel is rooted in Bangladesh, the story wouldn't be different in any other country, be it our own India or our esteemed neighbours Pakistan.
Before proceeding further, I must admit that I have read the original Bangla version of the novel and have not even seen the English version of the book. If my memory does not fail me, I read this novel some ten years ago, when the fires raged by Babri Structure demolition had still to cool down. This was the first novel by Dr. Taslima Nasreen, who despite being a famous Doctor (Gynaecologist) in the first place, had to run away from her homeland and seek refuge in far off France, so much so that she could not even be present at the death bed of her parent. This was because of the FATWAthat was issued for her head by the Muslim Clerics of Bangladesh, not only for LAJJA but some other novels as well that followed LAJJA, and had similar themes.
Soon after the Babri Masjid demolition, riots broke out in different parts of this subcontinent. Minorities in their respective homelands were being hounded out and massacred in the name of Religion. In that backdrop, Taslima has brought out chronologically the events that led to the situation that prevailed at that time in Bangladesh. Let us understand that there was no special emphasis on Hindu hatred in Bangladesh vis a vis the other way in certain parts of our MAHAAN BHARAT.
Conversion to Islam at that point of time was probably the most respectable thing to do in Bangladesh, and that is precisely what many did to save their skin and honour. Taslima's was probably the lone dissenting voice, and was indeed a pretty loud one. Loud enough to cause sufficient distress to the local religious leaders, who took adequate care to ensure the lady's permanent exit from her homeland.
The novel, as such, is no masterpiece of Bengali literature and is plagued by a lot of inanities and trivialities. But she has to be complimented for the courage and conviction she showed even under trying circumstances to stand by her creation.
It may be well known that many of her Indian admirers ( with equally or even more fundamentalistic attitude!) are not even aware of her stands in matters of religious fundamentalism, and blindly consider her as a Messiah and her creation as a GOSPEL.
I feel our friends from all religious backgrounds should read this novel at least once to initiate some sort of an introspection, so the these tales of hatred are never ever repeated on our land, or anywhere else.
