The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Adding insult to injury

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Monday, Aug 13, 2007
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Adding insult to injury

This refers to the attack on Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin by goons of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen led by three party MLAs in Hyderabad, and the registration of a case against her on a complaint by MIM legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi for allegedly promoting religious enmity. This is a classic case of adding insult to injury. Taslima is the aggrieved person and it is against her that the MIM has threatened to execute a fatwa if she ever sets foot in the city again. The Andhra Pradesh Government seems to have lost its sense of balance.

Dan Kongara,

New Jersey

* * *

MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi’s assertion that the fatwa (of death) against Ms. Nasrin will be implemented if she visits Hyderabad again is a threat to commit murder, which is punishable under the IPC. It is shocking that the police have not taken serious action against the attackers.

But for the efforts of her host and mediapersons who were present at the function, the fanatics would have probably killed her on Thursday itself.

C. Lakshmi Narain,

Chennai

* * *

Every day there are reports of intolerant elements taking the law into their own hands. It has now become a pastime for rowdy elements to dispense instant ‘justice’ in front of media cameras. Principals, professors, persons occupying respectable position in society — all become their helpless targets. What is shocking in Ms. Nasrin’s case is the threat issued by a legislator — who has taken the oath under the Constitution — that the writer will be killed if she dares to visit Hyderabad again. And the government is yet to disqualify him.

C.N.N. Nair,

Mumbai

* * *

It is most deplorable that the Majlis leader has suggested that the MIM activists should have done more than merely roughing up Ms. Nasrin. The government’s soft approach in handling such offenders will only give the obscurantist fringe on the other side of the divide a firm handle to spread its vitriolic accusation of ‘minority appeasement.’

S. Balu,

Madurai

* * *

The query by the MIM leaders — ‘who had the guts to invite Taslima to Hyderabad’ — is indicative of the support they derive from their constituency. Though this may sound politically incorrect, the Congress government’s policy of appeasement is slowly giving rise to increased acts of extremism. Moderate Muslims can combat the trend in a better way than persistently saying Islam is a religion of peace. It is surprising that the community cannot come together to protest against fatwas in the name of religion when it is a matter of life and death.

Ganesh S. Kamath,

Bangalore

* * *

It is shocking that all along the Hyderabad police have behaved in a friendly way with the MIM activists. Taslima is a foreigner seeking asylum in our country. She is here only because of the hostility she faces in Bangladesh. By treating her so shabbily, some of our countrymen have demonstrated that India is no better in treating women.

Mehr Unnisa Rahmani,

Vilapakkam

* * *

We have MPs who are serving prison sentences, a Chief Minister who abuses the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, and MLAs who lead an attack on a writer. Perhaps Winston Churchill was right when he said India did not deserve independence.

Naveen Luther,

Hyderabad

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