Women are oppressed in the east, in the west, in the south, in the north. Women are oppressed inside, outside home, a woman is oppressed in religion, she is oppressed outside religion.

When I write, I don't allow the fear of consequences to interfere with the writing process. I have in the past paid for my commitment to the truth and the way I live my life. I am prepared to pay more if I have to.

I am not scared of anyone. I will write and publish my books.

I have been writing poetry since 1975. My first poetry book was published in 1986.

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

In traditional societies, we have a long legacy of men controlling the body and mind of women. Such societies have valorised motherhood and fabricated concepts like chastity. Women have been the victims of these notions for thousands of years.

Those religions that are oppressive to women are also against democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression.