Authorities have turned against the author of the book “Khavodisi Ruzgori Man”

The country’s government, led by Emomali Rahmon, has incited representatives of the ruling party, the Writers’ Union, the National Academy of Sciences, and some members of the Tajik intelligentsia against the author of a controversial book.

On September 13, 2023, Khayriniso Yusufi, Deputy of Emomali Rahmon in the People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan, criticized the author of the book “Havodisi ruzgori man” (Events of My Life) in her article published by the news agency “Khovar,” calling him an “internal enemy.”

The Deputy Chair of the ruling People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan made every effort to justify and support the government, especially Prime Minister Emomali Rahmon, calling him a “successful,” “outstanding,” and “unique politician.”

Judging by the tone, during the writing of the article, Ms. Khayriniso Yusufi was heavily influenced by emotions. She was particularly affected by two sentences: “One of the main reasons for arbitrariness and anarchy in the country is the fragmentation of the nation; the state, supposedly understanding this problem, has raised slogans such as ‘Unity is the foundation of stability,’ etc. However, in reality, national unity is limited to these slogans and has not turned into reality.”

Earlier, Tajikistan’s ambassador to Uzbekistan Abdudzhabbor Rahmonzoda, who is also a member of the Writers’ Union of Tajikistan, and Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan Emomali Nasriddinzoda also sharply criticized these words of Abdukhaliq Holikzoda, the author of the book “Havodisi ruzgori man.”

The book by Abdukhaliq Holikzoda “Havodisi ruzgori man” (“Events of My Life”) was published in March of this year in Tehran and Dushanbe. Three months later, some employees of the Ministry of Culture reacted to the book, causing a stir on social media. Later, the Attorney General of Tajikistan, Yusuf Rahmon, became involved. By his order, the author of the book, Abdukhaliq Holikzoda, was first detained, followed by the book’s editor Abdukodir Rustam. They were accused of inciting national and local enmity and discord.

After the publication of the book, that is, more than three months during which heated debates and discussions about this book continued in the media and on social networks, Khayriniso Yusufi, a compatriot of the author of “Havodisi ruzgori man,” is the highest-ranking official in the ruling party who sharply criticized Abdukhaliq Holikzoda.

According to experts, the authorities did not fully understand the author and did not grasp what he intended to convey. In particular, some confused the Tajik words “ҳарҷ,” which means arbitrariness, anarchy, and “харҷ” – expenses, costs, and reacted sharply to this book.