Lajja is dark story dealing with religious fundamentalism. The story set in Bangladesh relates the plight of the minority community who get a raw deal always.
The story centers around the Dutta's - Sudhamoy Dutta is an atheist, a doctor by profession. He is a true patriot, who's faith in his motherland has never wavered inspite of the adversities his community faces. Sudhamoy's wife - Kironmoyee is submisive. She lives with her husband never complaining, inspite of her secret desire to move to India - for she believes the safety of her family lies there.
Their son Suranjan is a jobless wretch. Brought up with high ideals and social responsibilities, he ventures into politics and journalism but soon finds that life for a hindu in an Islamic country is demeaning.
Their daughter Maya is a young girl bubbling with energy and life. Unlike her brother she is responsible and supports her family in her own little way. She is determined to survive in this hostile country.
The story begins on December - 6th - 1992 on the fateful day that the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya was demolished. The Dutta's find themselves alieniated, even the moderate Muslims turn them a cold shoulder. The family looks upon Suranjan to take them to safety - to move to a Muslim household until the riots subside, but Suranjan does not want to beg for refuge. Maya moves to a friends place, but soon she feels like an outcast in their house. Suranjan spends the days loitering in the riot torn streets of Dhaka. Inspite of being an atheist himself, he finds himself bonding with his Hindu friends more. Sudhamoy and Kiron spend lonely days at home.
Misfortune strikes the Dutta's when Sudhamoy becomes paralytic. Maya comes back to nurse her father. The family is tortured again when a group of rioters plunder their house and abduct Maya. Suranjan runs from poll to post to get his sister back, but to no avail. Eventhough they do not loose hope, they try to move on with their life and in the process decide to leave their homeland.
The book goes through 13 days of riots, political calousness, religious frenzy and general apathy by the majority. The story is portrayed so simply yet with the power to stir our sensitivities.
