Taslima Nasrin compared the Pahalgam terror attack to the 2016 Dhaka strike, saying Muslims were killed for not being able to recite the Kalma.

On April 22, 2025, a horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed the lives of 28 civilians, predominantly Hindu tourists. The assailants, affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, targeted individuals based on their religious identity, marking one of the deadliest civilian attacks in India since 2008.

In the wake of this tragedy, exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasrin made a controversial statement, asserting, “Terrorism will stay as long as Islam is there.” Her remarks have sparked widespread debate and criticism, with many highlighting that such generalizations unfairly associate an entire religion with the actions of extremist factions.
According to news agency PTI, while speaking at the Delhi Literature Festival, the Lajja author remarked, “Islam has not evolved in 1,400 years.” She added, “Until it does, it will continue to breed terrorists. In the 2016 Dhaka attack, Muslims were slaughtered because they could not recite the Kalma. This is what happens when faith is allowed to overrule reason and humanity.”

Prominent Muslim organizations, including the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, have unequivocally condemned the attack. They emphasized that terrorism contradicts Islam’s core principles of peace and compassion. Leaders from these groups also lauded the bravery of local Muslims who risked their lives to aid victims during the attack.

The incident has intensified tensions between India and Pakistan, leading to India’s launch of “Operation Sindoor,” targeting alleged militant infrastructures across the border. Pakistan has denied involvement and condemned the strikes as acts of aggression. This tragedy underscores the importance of distinguishing between extremist ideologies and the broader religious communities they claim to represent. It also highlights the need for unity and collective condemnation of terrorism, irrespective of religious or national affiliations.