The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Attack on Taslima

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Tuesday, Aug 14, 2007
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Attack on Taslima

The goons of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen who attacked writer Taslima Nasrin have not only exposed their ugly face but are also guilty of un-Islamic action. Now that they have lost their credibility, let us hope the electorate will isolate them through the ballot. They also need an unambiguous reminder that in India, we are all subject to the law of the land that over-rules any religious decree whatsoever.

Jasveen Jairath,

Hyderabad

* *

Knowing full well that Ms. Nasrin’s writings have earned her many detractors, the organisers of the book release function should have taken adequate precautions. It is unfortunate that the leaders and activists of MIM who attacked her justified their barbaric act. The incident is a shame on our city and the country.

Sanghamitra Malik,

Hyderabad

* *

The argument of the MIM legislators who led the attack that they are Muslims first is against the principle of secularism enshrined in our Constitution. They should, therefore, be disqualified from the Assembly just as the MPs involved in the cash-for-questions scam were disqualified by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee. If it is not done, a day may come when elected representatives will take their oath of allegiance in the name of religious texts.

K.G. Acharya,

Mumbai

* *

If freedom of expression is relative and not absolute as the MIM leaders have argued, from where did they derive the absolute freedom to assault a woman? It is abhorrent to the religious tenets they claim to defend when they treat a woman as they have done. What legitimacy do they hold now as legislators who have violated the very rights they were elected to uphold?

Sarah Anjum Mirza,

Hyderabad

* *

That an MLA can threaten to kill a writer for expressing her views, another can pat him on the back for doing so, and governments can actually not treat the issue with the seriousness it deserves is an indication of the evolving danger of religious fundamentalism. This has the potential to upset our fondly held hope that India will overcome any threat to its survival.

H.R. Bapu Satyanarayana,

Mysore

* *

Violence against Ms. Nasrin and glorification of Sanjay Dutt are just symptoms of a dangerous disease — lack of respect for the law at all levels. Our leaders are far from ideal. Politics increasingly offers refuge and immunity to those who violate the law at will. Why there is scant respect for the law must be debated at the highest levels if we are to survive as a civilised nation.

S.M. Sharma

Noida

* *

The only ‘mistake’ Ms. Nasrin seems to have committed is to criticise the ill-treatment of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. Does she not have the right to speak her mind? The religion of fundamentalists is violence but the rationale of organised religions is peace. All Indians should be ashamed of the fact that a foreigner, particularly a woman, was treated so shabbily in the land of Gandhiji.

J. Dorai Raj,

Chennai

* *

I strongly oppose Ms. Nasrin’s views but I condemn the attack on her. I hope MIM legislators will not be considered representatives of Indian Muslims.

Mohd. Fahad,

Chennai

* *

Surely, the reiteration that Islam is a religion of peace is going to stop neither those who commit violence in its name nor those who demonise Muslims due to the actions of a few. Much to the exasperation of ordinary Muslims, we have to shoulder the responsibility for more atrocities and follies like fatwas declared in our name. We are vehemently opposed to fatwas and suicide bombs but what exactly can we do to stop them?

Thehseen Zakir,

Kochi

* *

Justice always eludes the victims of the powerful in our country. Those who hailed and celebrated Pratibha Patil’s victory in the presidential election as a symbol of woman’s empowerment should wake up to the harsh reality that even empowered women in our country are vulnerable to violence.

Anjoo Sharon Navin,

Coimbatore

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