Q: Is Islam, as a religion, tolerant? What's your take on that?Taslima: People have to be tolerant. Islam is an ideology. It can't be good or nice. It's an ancient ideology. People have to move on. There is also a mindset against women. It's not that they are doing it after reading Quran.
Q: It seems that you have changed a lot, mellowed down in fact over these years. Earlier, you possessed much more anger against religion but now that fire is missing.Taslima: No, I have not changed, but yes, you can say, now I am more developed. I was not narrow-minded in the past but now I have evolved more. But I am still raising my voice against barbarism in the name of religion. I am against terrorism but I support the people of Palestine.
Q: You are a feminist and you have been fighting for women rights. But you had said that three women created problems for you. Who are they and can you explain why did you say that?Taslima: Those three are – Sheikh Hasina Wajid, Khaleda Zia and Mamata Banerjee. Hasina and Khaleda, because they did not allow me to stay in Bangladesh; Mamata, because she is not allowing me to stay in West Bengal.
Q: The Left Front government threw you out of West Bengal and it called itself a secular government. Mamata Banerjee is not allowing you to stay in West Bengal and she also calls herself secular. It seems that even the parties that call themselves secular are not supporting you. What could be the reason?
Taslima: Ask them. It's for them to answer. I don't know.
