All India Muslim Jamaat President Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi on Monday launched a sharp condemnation of exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen over her remarks on madrasas, labelling them 'hate speech' and declaring that she 'should not have any place in India.' The cleric's response, issued from Bareilly, came a day after Nasreen made the comments at an event in Kolkata.

What Taslima Nasreen Said

At a public event in Kolkata on Sunday, Nasreen stated that, in her view, madrasas 'should not exist,' alleging that some of these institutions were producing 'jihadis' and were also witnessing incidents of child abuse. 'Child abuse, rapes are being committed there,' she further alleged. Nasreen also used the occasion to advocate for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India, arguing that such legislation was essential to eliminate discrimination — particularly against women — and called on neighbouring Bangladesh and Pakistan to adopt similar laws.

Razvi's Rebuttal: History and Hate Speech

Responding to Nasreen's madrasa remarks, Razvi said, 'Islam teaches women dignity, respect, etiquette, and culture. Islam is a religion that granted women rights, stature, and honour, respect they do not receive elsewhere... Today, Taslima Nasrin is raising questions?' He invoked the historical record, arguing that madrasa students and Islamic scholars had played a pivotal role in India's independence movement from 1857 to 1947. 'Today, those very people are being called terrorists, madrasas are being called the originators of terrorism. Taslima should be ashamed,' he said. Razvi further contended that the Supreme Court has imposed a complete ban on hate speech and that Nasreen's remarks fell squarely within that prohibition.

Cleric's Stand on Uniform Civil Code

On Nasreen's endorsement of the UCC, Razvi was unequivocal: 'The UCC has been introduced in Uttarakhand and implemented in Assam, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. This UCC is essentially an interference in Sharia; Muslims cannot tolerate interference in Sharia and will not comply with the UCC.' The statement reflects a position widely held among several Muslim clerical bodies, who have consistently opposed UCC implementation since it gained legislative traction.

Nasreen's Status in India and the Cleric's Demand

Razvi also questioned the circumstances of Nasreen's continued presence in India, pointing to her exile from Bangladesh. 'Taslima Nasreen is the same author who writes against Islam and Muslims. She should not have any place in India. However, it is unfortunate that there are many organisations here that are giving her asylum. The more unfortunate thing is that she was made a Chief Guest at an event in Kolkata,' he said. Notably, Nasreen has lived in exile for decades after facing threats and legal cases in Bangladesh over her writings, and has periodically resided in India with the support of various civil society groups. The episode adds to a recurring pattern of controversy that has followed Nasreen's public appearances in India, where her views on religion and gender frequently draw sharp reactions from religious leaders. How authorities respond to the cleric's demand — and whether Nasreen faces any formal action — will be closely watched in the coming days.