The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Kolkata violence

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Friday, Nov 23, 2007
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Kolkata violence

The agitation by the All India Minority Forum in Kolkata resulting in violence and huge loss of property, besides causing hardship to the citizens, was unfortunate. One of the reasons cited for the violence was the extension of Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen’s visa. The unfortunate writer has been hounded out of Bangladesh by religious bigots and our government has rightly given her refuge. The UPA government should not yield to pressure from religious extremists. Taslima should be given a permanent visa to stay in India.

H.K. Seshadri,

Bangalore

The attempt to create violence and disturb communal harmony was superbly tackled by the West Bengal government. An insignificant outfit like the AIMF could not have created such a situation without the support of vested interests. It looks like it was an attempt to drive a wedge between the minorities and the Left as it is well established that the long period of Left rule has provided an environment that is free of communal strife. There are attempts to give a communal colour to Nandigram and the Rizwanur case too for the same reason.

Kasim Sait,

Chennai

No situation seems to be out of bounds for fringe groups to exploit. What is the connection between the Nandigram imbroglio and visa for Ms Nasreen? The violence clearly shows how the fundamentalist elements are out to destroy the secular fabric of our country. No action seems to have been taken against those who attacked the writer in Hyderabad. Such lenience on the part of governments encourages the fundamentalist elements to indulge in anti-social behaviour, with no fear of punishment.

A. Paramesham,

New Delhi

It is a shame that some manipulative forces have used Nandigram as an excuse and instigated the impoverished people of the minority community by mixing up the issue of Taslima Nasreen’s visa extension to create a law and order problem and disrupt the peaceful atmosphere.

Stringent punishment for the fundamentalist leaders and an absolute guarantee of freedom to Taslima are the need of the hour.

T. Marx,

Karaikal

The Left Front government succeeded in maintaining communal harmony in West Bengal even during sporadic eruption of violence between religious groups in many States of north India. An organised campaign seems to be on to tarnish its fair name. The tension created in Nandigram was the first step. Suddenly, Ms Nasreen’s stay in India has been raked up as an issue. Granting of visa and extensions is dealt with by the Centre. State governments have no role in it. One thing is clear — some elements are bent on destabilising the State government by hook or crook.

M.P. Padmanabhan,

Chennai

It is not for M.N.R. Barkati, Imam of the Tippu Sultan mosque, to decide who should be given visa by the Indian government. If he and the AIMF are unhappy with the government’s decision to extend Ms Nasreen’s visa, they should seek a legal remedy. The violence unleashed by the AIMF was excessive and their demand unconstitutional.

S. Prakash,

Mutharasanallur

The vociferousness of a small minority of fanatics should not be allowed to drown the voice of the vast majority of people including the minorities who cherish freedom of expression. Taslima’s contribution to exposing the plight of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh is as laudable as the role of those who resisted the attack on Muslims in Gujarat. Those who disagree with her should fight her with the pen and not through vandalism.

M. Mandal,

Hyderabad

The Kolkata violence appears to have been communally instigated. It undermines the tolerance that the city has been known for.

Ms Nasreen has adopted Kolkata as her home and there is no reason why her visa should not be extended. Given our commitment to secularism and free speech, it is our duty to grant protection to her against the fundamentalist forces.

Sutirtha Sahariah,

New Delhi

It is unfortunate that a city known for its elite culture has allowed the ugly head of fundamentalism to raise again. Though more than one issue might have contributed to the explosive situation, the common denominator beyond doubt is fundamentalism.

S.R. Badrinarayanan,

Chennai

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