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Academics fault Centre, West Bengal on Taslima issue

Special Correspondent

“Give up policy of placating extremist elements among religious groups”

Asks Centre to ask her to return and provide her security
“The issue has tarnished India’s image abroad”

NEW DELHI: Academics and civil rights activists on Tuesday urged the Central government and the West Bengal government to give up their “policy of placating extremist elements among religious groups” as this could pose a threat to the social fabric, security, peace and stability of the country.

In a statement issued in the context of the departure of the exiled Bangladeshi novelist, Taslima Nasreen, from the country, the signatories warned that this policy of placating extremist elements among religious groups could culminate “in the failure of the State as has been witnessed in our neighbourhood.”

In turn, they have said that under the circumstances, the only “honourable course” for the Central government is to ask her to return as soon as her health permitted, on the assurance that she would be allowed to lead a normal life with adequate protection.

“Blow to democracy”

Of the view that such a policy of placating extremist elements “is totally unexpected from those publicly committed to secularism and freedom of expression,” they noted that the Taslima chapter had tarnished India’s image abroad. According to the signatories, “her departure in the circumstances in which it took place is a severe blow to the fundamental principles of secularism, democracy and freedom of expression on which the Indian State is founded.”

The most serious consequence of this episode, in their opinion, is the licence it provides to religious extremism to pursue with impunity its policy of intimidation, disruption and violence.

“It is tragic that those who threatened and attacked her have been allowed to move around freely, while Taslima, the victim, was incarcerated and driven to desperation where she was left with no [other] option but to quit the country.”

Signatories

The signatories to the statement include former Prime Minister I. K. Gujral, Jnanpith awardee Mahasweta Devi, film-maker Aparna Sen, historians Sumit Sarkar and Tanika Sarkar, former Foreign Secretary Muchkund Dubey, and journalists Kuldip Nayar and Sumit Chakravarty.

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