Taslima asks Centre to reconsider
| This time it is not the Marxists but the UPA government that has decided that controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen cannot return to her adopted city of Kolkata.
Moreover, Nasreen has been told that if she wants to live in Delhi, she will not be allowed to take part in any public functions.
Taslima Nasreen said that the decision had been communicated officially to her by a senior official of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Nasreen also claimed that her security was cited as the reason for the Centre’s decision.
The controversial author, who has already withdrawn parts of her writing considered offensive to certain Muslim groups, has been in hiding for the past month.
Breaking down on the telephone, she claimed that she was being made to live under house arrest.
‘’I appeal to the government to change its mind,'’ she said.
Nasreen also asserted that she will leave India if she is refrained from returning to Kolkata.
The author has been in a government safe house since November and has courted trouble over her perceived anti-Islamic writings.
Taslima says she has been placed under virtual house arrest but the Home Minister has refused to comment on this.
Meanwhile, the CPM, which had sent Taslima off to Jaipur last month, washed its hands off her, saying that this was between Taslima and the government.
‘’It is between Taslima and the Central government and we have nothing to do with this,'’ said Shyamal Chakravarthy, Leader, CPM.
The Congress party too reiterated its earlier stand that no one who is allowed to stay in India can hurt the sentiments of the people.
While the government adopts an indifferent attitude, there are some voices of support for Taslima. Shaonli Mitra a Theatre personality said, ‘’I don’t know Taslima personally, neither am I fond of her writings. But I think it is shameful on the part of the Indian government to have conveyed this message to her. It shows India in poor light.'’
Kaushik Sen another theatre personality, said ‘’Taslima must come back to Kolkata. She loves this city and wants to stay here. She must be allowed to come back. What is happening with her can set a dangerous precedent. If you don’t like her writing, don’t read her books but she must be given freedom of expression.'’
He said that some mobs will demand something in future and we will have to give in. source: google news http://blogs.mindbodynsoul.com http://www.currentnewsaffairs.com Tags:author blogs; taslima nasreen controversial EDUCATION General house arrest INDIA |
