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Thursday, Nov 29, 2007
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We will continue to give shelter to Taslima: Pranab

Special Correspondent

But “guests must desist from actions that may hurt our people’s sentiments”

NEW DELHI: India will continue to provide shelter to Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen. This was stated by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the Lok Sabha after question hour on Wednesday. “It is also expected that the guests will refrain from activities and expressions that may hurt the sentiments of our people,” his statement said.

“India has never refused shelter to those who had come and sought our protection throughout history. This civilisational heritage, which is now the government’s policy, will continue, and India will provide shelter to Ms. Nasreen,” he asserted.

Those granted shelter had always undertaken to eschew political activities and actions that might harm India’s relations with friendly countries.

On their protection, he said it was the responsibility of both the Union and State governments, and this was applicable to Ms. Nasreen also.

As there was no mention of Ms. Nasreen’s whereabouts, Opposition members were on their feet and sought information about her safety. “Where is she,” asked V.K. Malhotra (BJP).

Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, however, refused to allow any further discussion. He said a debate would be allowed if proper notice was submitted.

A similar statement was read out by Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma in the Rajya Sabha, where clarifications are expected to be allowed on Thursday.

At a press conference, Mr. Malhotra said Mr. Mukherjee’s statement “is incomplete. It gives no information about Ms. Nasreen.”

The party wanted to know why she was sent out of West Bengal and whether she was free to go back to the State. He pointed out that she had said she would like to live in Kolkata. The BJP also wanted to know where she was and who was protecting her.

“Why is the West Bengal government silent on her departure to Jaipur from Kolkata? We want a full statement from it on all these questions.”

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