Exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen has sparked a debate by asserting that Bengali culture, including that of Bengali Muslims, is fundamentally rooted in Hindu traditions and that all Bengalis, regardless of faith, belong to India. Her remarks drew a response from noted poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar, who stressed the importance of recognising the richness of the Ganga Jamni Awadh culture.
Nasreen shared her views during Durga Puja celebrations, posting photos of pandals and cultural events. In her online statement, she argued that Bengalis across religious divides share a common cultural foundation. “There is nothing to hide: Hindu culture is the foundation of Bengali culture. We Bengalis, whatever religion or philosophy we may have adopted over history, belong in our national identity to India. The ancestors of Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, and atheists of India were all, or nearly all, Indian Hindus,” she wrote.
Known for her outspoken criticism of Islamic traditions, Nasreen added that Bengali Muslims’ identity is shaped more by regional heritage than foreign influence. “Even if a Bengali is Muslim, his culture is not the culture of Arabia. His culture is Bengali culture, and that culture is rooted in Hindu tradition. The beating of drums, the music, the dance—these are primal expressions of Bengali culture. To deny it is to deny oneself,” she said.
Responding to her remarks, Akhtar acknowledged the significance of Bengali culture but emphasised the equally vital role of Awadh’s syncretic traditions. “We the people of traditional Awadh have great respect for Bengali culture, language and literature. But if someone is unable to appreciate and respect the great Ganga Jamni Awadh culture, its refinement and sophistication, then it is completely his loss. This culture has nothing to do with Arab,” he noted.
He further pointed out that Indian culture has absorbed external influences on its own terms. “Persian and Central Asian cultures and languages have seeped into our culture and language, just like western culture, but always on our conditions. By the way, many Bengali surnames are of Persian origin,” Akhtar remarked.
The exchange has reignited conversations on cultural identity, syncretism, and the diverse roots of South Asian traditions.
