The Hindu : National : Taslima alleges threat to life, `will fight bigotry'

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Monday, Jun 26, 2006

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National

Taslima alleges threat to life, `will fight bigotry'

Special Correspondent

One does not expect such threats in a democratic country like India: Bangladeshi writer Fatwas are not new to the writer, who describes herself as a "secular humanist" fighting intolerance

Taslima Nasreen

Kolkata: Controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen said here on Sunday that she had learnt "of a threat to eliminate me, something one does not expect in a democratic country like India with its respect for the freedom of expression."

Ms. Nasreen also faces a fatwa issued by an imam of a city mosque, who has reportedly offered a reward of Rs. 50,000 to anyone who smears black paint on her face and drives her out of the country.

Speaking exclusively to The Hindu , Ms. Nasreen expressed the hope that "neither this Government nor the people would encourage such fanatics."

"If I want to fight for humanity I automatically will have to fight religious fundamentalism and bigotry as they are intolerant to human values and women's emancipation, which is what my books deal in."

Zealots' conspiracy

She thinks that the fatwa threat could be part "of a conspiracy by religious zealots against me to drive me out of the country at a time when I have sought from the Government an extension of the residential permit, which expires in August." Her appeal for Indian citizenship was rejected last year.

"Over the past few days my security has been tightened presumably in view of the fatwa issued against me, though I have not as yet been confronted with any such threat directly," the writer-in-exile said.

Such fatwas, however, are not new to Ms. Nasreen, who describes herself as a "secular humanist engaged in a struggle against religious fundamentalism."

"For the same reasons I have not been able to return to Bangladesh for the past 12 years ... " But why should such fatwas come from people living in India "a country which recognises democratic values and is not a theocratic State?" she wondered. As for those who issue such fatwas, "they too have the right to express their views — for this right I will give my last blood," Ms. Nasreen said.

"But in a civilised society threats to kill someone and offering monetary rewards for the deed not only goes against the law but also stirs up passions. If such things are allowed to continue then surely democracy will be in peril," she added.

"I have always believed in the plurality of thought but not at the risk of endangering lives," the writer said. "I have nothing against religion but only against those tenets which deny women their rights — a fundamental human right in any democracy."

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