Angry over extension of visa to controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, a federation of Muslim organisations in West Bengal today (14th Aug) threatened a countrywide agitation.

Dubbing Taslima as “an enemy of Islam”, president of Milli Ittehad Parishad, Haji Abdul Aziz here said the Centre’s decision would create unrest countrywide.

All-India Minority Forum president Idris Ali…said extension of Taslima’s visa amounted to “insulting” Islam.

Letter to the Editor,The Times of India,datedMarch8,2005

I would like to draw the attention of all educated,intellectual and right-thinging people,and the women particularly, especially those who champion women’s rights,towards the issue of giving Indian citizenship to Taslima Nasreen. Those who are aware of Taslima’s background, her writtings,stuggle,mission,contribution towards rights, freedom,equality,upliftment and honour for women, and the tortures she suffered at the hands of religious fundamentalists, will surely try to pursue the Indian govt. to get her a citizenship.

- Arup Kumar Biswas,Kolhapur.

***

The above letter was published in the Times of India on 8thMarch,2005 which was the International Women’s Day.supporting her cause.

“… India gave refuge with honour to all those people who were persecuted in their own country; be it Jews, Parsis or Tibetans. It has been an ageold tradition to treat them well. Many of them were given land and other liberal relief by Indian kings.

Perhaps, Taslima is the only exception. She was first hounded out by the West Bengal Government and then by the Centre.

…Taslima wrote a novel depicting the shameful atrocities on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh in an aptly titled novel Lajja. There is no concept of gender justice in Islam. She wrote on feminists too. Top Islamic clergy charged her with blasphemy and there was every danger of her being persecuted. She took shelter in Kolkata, known for its cultural homogeneity.

…This time, in November 2007, she had to face mob fury in a State ruled by Marxists, the most vocal champions of secularism.

…Ironically, the mob was managed and led by yet another champion of secularism, the Congress. The CPM bundled her out to Delhi via Rajasthan. In Delhi, she could have lived under ordinary security peacefully continuing with her writing. But the Centre kept her in an IB House where she was not allowed to talk to anybody. “It was a virtual jail,” she said.

…She succumbed to the pressure and took a plane to London. She told journalists that the Manmohan Government was the worst type of fundamentalist.

Nasreen doesn’t know the Indian definition of secularism. Here, it means exotic romance with Muslims, particularly the fundamentalists, and offending the majority routinely. It means meek and tolerant behaviour from Hindus and empowering fundamentalists with veto.

…Taslima could not understand the invertedness of Indian secularism. It is like a pyramid. All the burden has to be borne by the lower portion and the top portion enjoys the pleasure of height.

…in India…votes are of paramount importance; ethics, code of conduct and human rights of refugees do not count, if weighed against votes.

…No country humiliates even political refugees barring, probably, India. The way India treated Taslima and is now treating the Dalai Lama is shameful and against its glorious traditions.

…One can imagine the fear in which Taslima lived. Many human rights activists spring up whenever a case of a terrorist comes to the fore. Where are they now? They have not shed a single tear.

…The entire nation is unconcerned, watching TV. Political statements as per party lines do appear but they do not galvanise people in the manner required. Who can dare act against the aforesaid veto?

Please note, commies are expert in deceiving and fooling people. They have mastered that art with long years of training. They can plant n-number of stories to confuse the people and in between get away from the real issue. By kicking out Taslima, they trying to get away from Nandigram issue.

BJP didn’t forced out Taslima from Rajasthan. No state govt can send someone to another state without prior information and arrangements. Moreover, when it requires security. Did TamilNadu govt despatched a helicopter to AndraPradesh to bring Sankaracharya back to TN without prior arrangements with AP govt? Absolutely not. Jayalalita made all-out arrangements with Samual Reddy.

Why Taslima was sent to Rajasthan, and not Delhi or Andra Pradesh or Maharastra? Commies knows Congress state govts will not entertain them, and accept Taslima. Do you think AndraPradesh or Maharastra govt would have accepted her? 100% NO. Thats why she was sent to Rajasthan (a BJP govt state). Commies always do things with carefully crafted strategies and in this case too they did.

We must thank the Rajasthan govt for their compassionate handling of the situation. They treated her as a state guest. Why shall Rajasthan govt take the responsibity of a person, just someone sent to them, without arrangements and Union govts instruction? When a person given VISA, its the Union govt’s responsibility for the security and care (they have to inform the respective state govts for security). Without Union govt’s instructions, state govts are not obliged to take care of a specific person and address a case like this.

While it can be argued that the WB Government did not “force” Taslima to leave, there is no doubt that the mood in party HQ in Kolkata post her departure must have been one of great relief and possibly, secret joy…

I have read reports which suggest that the Rajasthan Sabha (I may have got the name wrong) in Kolkata arranged for Taslima’s departure and the police in Rajasthan were told that she was arriving in Jaipur for a “function”.

I am not sure if this is the full story…Anyone else has any (other) ideas?