I was well acquainted with the Calcutta literary circle since I was 17, when I lived in Bangladesh and published and edited a little magazine called 'Sejuti,' for which young poets from both Bengals wrote. If you look at my life, there is no question of using anyone for anything. I have only got banned, blacklisted and banished.

I write against the religion because if women want to live like human beings, they will have to live outside the religion and Islamic law.

I strongly believe that no one can be a true feminist without being an atheist. All religions are anti-women. No one can be pro-woman while supporting anti-woman dogmas.

It is unfair to label me anti-Islam. I am an atheist and a secular humanist.

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

Religious fundamentalists in Bangladesh have always argued for a ban on my books.

Sheikh Hasina's government is one of the best Bangladesh has ever had. She is taking action against fundamentalists. But even she refused to let me return. I don't think I can ever return home.