Archive · 23 Jan 2026
Banu Mushtaq on Challenges as Muslim Woman Writer
Banu Mushtaq is a writer who won a big prize for her book.
She talked about how it's hard to be a writer, especially as a Muslim woman.
She said people criticize and attack her for her writing and her identity.
She has to defend her work a lot.
She believes it's important to keep writing to challenge unfair power structures and give hope to society.
She makes her characters strong and rebellious to show that women can be powerful too.
Banu Mushtaq won the International Booker Prize in 2025 for her anthology Heart Lamp.
She discussed the challenges of being a Muslim woman writer at the Kolkata Literary Meet 2026.
Mushtaq highlighted the systemic barriers and sustained hostility faced by women writers from minority communities.
She emphasized the importance of creative expression as a form of resistance and social awareness.
Mushtaq portrays her women characters as agents of revolution, showing courage and rebellion.
- Who
- Banu Mushtaq, an Indian author and International Booker Prize winner
- What
- Discussion on challenges faced as a Muslim woman writer
- When
- Thursday, at the Kolkata Literary Meet 2026
- Where
- Kolkata, India
- Why
- To share experiences and insights on gender, identity, and power in literature
- Author
- Banu Mushtaq
- Prize Won
- International Booker Prize 2025
- Book
- Heart Lamp
- Event
- Kolkata Literary Meet 2026
- Moderator
- Chinki Sinha