Religion is against women's rights and women's freedom. In all societies women are oppressed by all religions.

All I ever want is to return to either Bangladesh, my motherland, or India, my adopted home.

I want to live in Kolkata; I don't want to live in Europe - I can't write there. I write in Bengali, and I need to be surrounded by the Bengali language and culture.

Religion is now the first obstacle to women's advancement. Religion pulls human beings backwards, it goes against science and progressiveness. Religion engulfs people with a fear of the supernatural. It bars people from laughing and never allows people to exercise their choice.

If any religion allows the persecution of the people of different faiths, if any religion keeps women in slavery, if any religion keeps people in ignorance, then I can't accept that religion.

I studied in a medical college and qualified myself as a medical graduate.

I believe in absolute freedom of expression. Everyone has a right to offend and be offended.