The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : The Taslima issue

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Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007
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The Taslima issue

Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen has expressed her desire to be back in Kolkata. The West Bengal government, assuring her security, has said she is free to return to the city. The State government’s gesture is laudable. But in view of the grave violence that erupted in Kolkata against the extension of her visa by six months, it would be better for her to opt for a State where religious fanaticism has not raised its head.

The need of the hour is pragmatism, which will serve the interests of the writer as well as the country that has given her a place to live.

K.D. Viswanathan,

Coimbatore

* * *

Taslima’s plight is a haunting reminder of the rapidly disappearing civil space where dialogue and negotiations are possible. Assuming that India is still a democratic state, it is disappointing to see that a creative shift from the accepted norms of expression can result in a “witch hunt.”

We like celebrity guests only as long as they don’t get controversial. The treatment meted out to Taslima by us does not speak well of our hospitality for a woman who was given permission by our own elected government to stay in our country. The Centre has seen it fit to extend Taslima’s visa. If people have problems with it, surely the way out is not hounding her?

V. Ira,

Hyderabad

* * *

National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah’s reported outburst that Taslima should apologise for “criticising god” or she will have no place to hide (Nov. 25) is rabble rousing par excellence.

It shows how warped his understanding of Indian secularism is. It proves that people like him will never understand the secular ethos that is intrinsic to Indian culture.

P.P. Sudhakaran,

Bangalore

* * *

Dr. Abdullah’s stand is unfortunate. Taslima is a victim of religious persecution. That she has sought asylum in our country is a matter of pride for us.

The Centre should lose no time in offering her citizenship. It should protect her and guarantee her the freedom to pursue her legitimate activities in the city of her choice. The example set by the British government in protecting Salman Rushdie — a naturalised citizen — is worth emulating.

Bernard Thangasamy,

Coimbatore

* * *

The violence in Kolkata and demands for Taslima’s ouster reinforce what I wrote in this column a few months ago — “a perceived threat to one’s religion is sufficient to turn a pious person into a beast.”

It is becoming increasingly evident that religion and peace cannot coexist; we have to choose between them.

S.P. Asokan,

Cuddalore

* * *

Why does Dr. Abdullah single out Taslima? He seems to have no problem with the so-called rationalists making fun of the believers.

P.U. Krishnan,

Udhagamandalam

* * *

I am pained at the behaviour of a few on the Taslima issue. The writer is living in our country with the government’s permission. While many have urged the government to send her out, Dr. Abdullah has gone a step further by saying she will have no place to hide.

If criticising the tenets of a religion is a ‘sin,’ we will find many ‘sinners’ living among us. If Dr. Abdullah’s yardstick is applied, all rationalists and atheists will have no place to exist in this world.

A. Gandhi,

Chennai

* * *

It is of course unfortunate that Taslima is undergoing a great deal of suffering. But it is also true that she is responsible for it. She was aware of the consequences of her writings.

Freedom of expression does not mean you can hurt a section. My suggestion to her is that she should learn a lesson or two from her experience in India and avoid getting into controversies hereafter.

V.M. Khaleelur Rahman,

Ambur

* * *

The use of the words “controversial writer” to describe Taslima is inappropriate. The description gives the impression that the controversy about her writings has been established whereas it is only a view of fundamentalists. I request the media to use some other adjective to describe her.

S. Ramkumar,

Chennai

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