Nasrin Warns of Mortal Risk in India

Exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin has issued a stark warning, saying her life would be placed in grave danger if the Indian authorities do not renew her permission to reside in the country. Speaking with visible anxiety, she said that being forced to leave India would leave her with nowhere safe to go, adding bluntly: “If I do not get the permit, I will die.”

Nasrin’s concern arises from a prolonged delay in the renewal of her residence permit, which expired on 17 July this year. More than six weeks have passed since the expiry date, yet the Indian government has not extended her stay. The uncertainty has left the outspoken author deeply distressed, fearing the consequences of displacement at a time when she says she is neither physically nor mentally prepared to relocate.

In an interview with the Bangla-language outlet Aajtak Bangla, reported by India Today, Nasrin expressed frustration at the lack of communication from the authorities. She said she has received no official response or assurance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, despite repeatedly checking the status of her application online. “I do not know whom to speak to,” she said. “I am not in contact with anyone directly. I only check online, but there is still no clarity. This has never happened before.”

Addressing speculation that political developments in Bangladesh might be affecting her case, Nasrin dismissed the suggestion outright. She stressed that she has no connection with Bangladeshi politics and has been living in India as a Swedish citizen. According to her, the expiration of her permit predates the current instability in Bangladesh. She recalled a similar delay in 2017, which was eventually resolved and attributed at the time to a technical issue.

Nasrin warned that the failure to renew her permit would expose her to serious threats. She noted that many people mistakenly believe she enjoys close ties with governments or political leaders, which she firmly denied. “That is not true,” she said. “Without legal permission to stay, I will be extremely vulnerable.”

Reflecting on her past, Nasrin reiterated that both former Bangladeshi prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia played roles in her exile. Forced to leave Bangladesh in 1994, she spent several years in Europe before moving to India in 2004. After periods in different cities, she has lived in Delhi since 2011, which she considers her home.

Key Milestones in Taslima Nasrin’s Exile and Residence

As the uncertainty drags on, Nasrin’s plea underscores the human cost of bureaucratic delays and the precarious position of exiled writers who depend on legal protection to survive.