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Why have they locked me up? Asks Taslima Nasreen

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Agencies

Posted online: Monday , February 18, 2008 at 02:23:46
Updated: Monday , February 18, 2008 at 02:42:40


Exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, living in a secret hideaway after being threatened by Islamist groups, said she felt like a prisoner and appealed to the Indian government to set her free.

The controversial author was rushed out of her home in Kolkata, capital of the communist-ruled state of West Bengal, in November after violent protests by Muslim groups.

She was first taken to tRajasthan and then moved to an undisclosed "safe house" in New Delhi, where she cannot have visitors and only has a mobile phone, a laptop and a television set to connect her to the outside world.

"I have not committed any crime, so why have they locked me up?" she said, sounding virtually in tears in a telephone interview.

She said Indian authorities extended her visa last week, but said she could not leave her house, which is guarded by police.

"All the protests were staged in Kolkata, yet I have been locked up like a prisoner here and not allowed to step out," Nasreen told Reuters at the weekend.

"I want to go back to my study in Kolkata and my pet cat."

Leading Indian intellectuals, including Booker prize-winner Arundhati Roy, have criticised India's officially secular government for not doing more for Nasreen and in particular the communist leaders of West Bengal for not allowing her back.

Leaders of West Bengal's Muslim community, who make up almost a third of the state's 80 million people, have threatened to withdraw electoral support from the left if Nasreen returns. She said this was populist politics.

"The people who say they are fighting against me are only interested in gaining political popularity as most of them have never read my books," Nasreen said.

Depressed, Stressed and Ill

Nasreen, 45, was conferred the Prix Simone de Beauvoir by the French government for her feminist writings, but was not allowed by the Indian government to receive it from visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy in January.

"They wanted me to go to France, but I don't want to leave India at this stage and would rather fight for my freedom here," she said.

Nasreen gets three meals a day and has an attendant to look after her, inside what she calls a "small place".

"They do give me food, medicine, clothes and take good care... but there is no freedom," Nasreen said.

Earlier this month, she was rushed to a hospital after her blood pressure plummeted from what she says was an overdose of medicines to control high blood pressure.

"I am depressed, stressed and ill," she said.

"How can a writer live without freedom as I have always fought for freedom and human rights?" she said, the loud chirping of birds nearby nearly drowning her voice.

Nasreen fled Bangladesh in 1994 when a court said she had "deliberately and maliciously" hurt Muslims' religious feelings with her Bengali-language novel "Lajja", or "Shame", in which she argued the Hindu minority in Bangladesh was poorly treated.

In other writings, she has denounced the use of religion as a means of oppression. She angered Muslims again in her autobiography "Dwikhandita" ("Split in Two") with comments on the relationship between Prophet Mohammad and his dozen wives.

She later deleted a few paragraphs from the book, but protests have continued. Several of her books have been banned in India and Bangladesh for upsetting Muslims.

The European Parliament awarded her the Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought in 1994. She lived in Europe before settling down in Kolkata four years ago.

"I was forced to stay in Western countries, but I never felt at home there and that is why I want to stay on in secular India," Nasreen said.

Nasreen was born into a Muslim family in Bangladesh but says she does not believe in religion.

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doctor by aubid on 31 May 2008

whatever is being done with Taslima is less. she will find it more hard here-after.

taslima should be hanged by irshad on 17 Mar 2008

taslima should be hanged because why a writer who writes against hinduism is expelled from india..it is hypocracy and nothing....islam is prevailing and inshallah in the time to come it is going to capture all the world according to stats...

KEEP IT UP TASLIMA! by A.K.SHARMA on 04 Mar 2008

A very valid question.But Taslima should know that the entire UPA government,headed by Manmohan Singh,the prime minister for Muslims in India,is itself mentally imprisoned in the policy of appeasement of the Muslims.The entire leadership of UPA right from the Sonia,Manmohan and others,can not see beyond Muslim votes.The ill treatment meted out to a woman,Taslima,by the UPA government,which is in the cluthes of Sonia,who is supposed to be a woman only,is not only unfortunate but disgraceful also.But Taslima should carry on with her reformist writings,because the saner elements of the nation are with her.She should go to Gujarat under the protection of NarenderModi,because only he can save her from the Islamic Jihadis.

request by MISS NITA ROY CHOWDHURY on 19 Feb 2008

respected mamata di,( banerjee)Do you teach me LLB? hope you are fine.nita father's name:late gobinda roy chowdhuryganguly bagan

Chill Out by Venkat on 19 Feb 2008

Chill out brother, nobody is suggesting that Quran is bad. Its the interpretation of it which has issues. What Buddha spoke is important to Buddhism. But equally important is what Buddha did not speak. Who will be able to figure-out what he did not say ? Same way, what prophet Mohammad spoke, was interpreted by people close to him. How much of the actual message was lost in translation ? How much more is lost in years of re-interpretation by different Maulvis. As far as your claims about the core of Islam being "peace and women's rights" - its nowhere reflected by the actions of its followers.

Jihad by Naveed on 20 Mar 2008

yes venkat u r absolutely right but there is NOTHING WRONG IN QUR'AN..Yet there is no word in islam like jihadis.. actual jihad is defined as to fight for the people 'who fighting against islam... Islam also suggest if a non muslim going in front of u,than dont let him to go but Provide Security and hospitality for them...This is Islam

taslima by baaluradha on 19 Feb 2008

The answer is very simple one Taslima! Its cause our leftist kind of secularism! everything of minority in this country is secular and of majority is communal. In Bangladesh your fanatics are in majority when it comes to india the same group is belong to minority! so the sypathy and pampering! you can not help your self. take care!

Taslima nasreen by gnsetty on 19 Feb 2008

BJP/Shiv Sena/Hindutva leaders must read ( as I did ) Taslima Nasreen's LAJJA to see the physical and emotional damage caused to thousands of Hindus in Bangladesh after Sangh Pariwar brought down Babri Masjid in 1992.She wrote the gory details of the systematic murder of many Hindu families in Bangladesh.The wider world was not aware of these atrocities till Taslima wrote about them.India has always provided santuary and protection to people like Taslima.It reflects poorly on India if India too behaves like a tin-pot dictatorship or like China in giving ritualist extension of her visa.Either India gives visa with no conditions or no visa at all.Visa extension to Taslima while putting her in a worse than a virtual prison is utterly shameful when Taslima has committed no crime and is not charged with any crime.India must set a good example,not cowardice before political manipulators.We must free Taslima from all governmental controls and give her a longer-term visa so that we get to see and benefit from her view of the sub-continent and the wider world.It is so fortunate these present-day Congress Party wimps were not there when Dalai Lama sought sanctuary in India in 1957.Do Congressmen remember Nehru's words when Dalai Lama ultimately came to India against Nehru's own advice not to do so : India is a free country and you are most welcome to stay.

Middle east is the brightest proof what Islam can do to a great civilization by B. B. Goel on 19 Feb 2008

Banning Quran will not only gave a great relief to India but the whole world. That will be a great service to humanity and human civilization. Anyone sane person will understand that if they analyze what Middle East were before Islam was invented and imposed around 600 AD there (Muhammad was born around 570 AD).

Why do we need Taslima in India? Does she love this country?!! by Hemant on 19 Feb 2008

Well honestly, I don't think we need people like her in India. She doesn't love India or care about us. All she is doing is using us. She lives here and instead of being grateful, she is bad-mouthing us. We should ask her to leave India. If she so desires she can go to her beloved France. I am sure she can write some more books there telling the whole world about the ills in the Muslim society.

We need more people like her by B. B. Goel on 19 Feb 2008

Not atall. She loves humanity, much more important. She does love India and also her own country Bangladesh. We need more people like her in our country too.

Get real! by Hemant on 19 Feb 2008

Humanity? She said that to you? Get real! We have trouble of our own in our country. If she says she loves our hospitality... she is welcome to stay... or she is also welcome to leave if she doesn't like the security measures taken for her by our Government.

She should get Indian Citizenship by B. B. Goel on 19 Feb 2008

Have you ever read any of her Books? I did. She is welcome to say the truth in our country. We need many more people like that to make our democracy a true secular one. People like you and Indian politicians should learn from countries like Denmark (Denmark media re-printed all the Muhammad cartoons).

National shame by B. B. Goel on 19 Feb 2008

All the people who threatened her by death, physically abused her and patrons of those thugs (e.g Congress leader and J

I wish we had more like You, Taslima by jay on 19 Feb 2008

Taslima, you are being harassed not only by Islamic fundamentalists but also by Indian Govt simply because you speak the truth and do not bow down your head in front of religious fanatics (like our pseudo-secular politicians and many so called intellectuals). I wish we had more like you in this unfortunate country having a useless “secular” democracy.

Talima's case symptoms of future for India by Raju on 19 Feb 2008

The Commi government of WB has allowed all Bangladeshi citizens for the Gurantee of the votes that they are getting. Now those Bangladeshis are after Ms. Taslim as she does not fit in Islamic culture in their vies. These Bangladeshi are now creating pressure on WB commi govt. to follow there line! Unfortunately same 30 million Mulsims of WB will create problem in future. The commi can be capitalist but a Muslim can not be liberal when it comes to their faith. India is looking for trouble for her unity and integrations.

Weak religion? by Jojo on 19 Feb 2008

What is it about Islam that even a word uttered on the religion causes panic attack in the Maulwis? Thousands of pages have been written for and against every religion in the world, but no one goes to such a nasty level. Are they so weak and fragile that they can not even tolerate some words and defend it logically? Taslima did not even write against Islam, but against the perpetrators of the crimes under the name of Islam. She brought out glaring examples of things that need to be corrected, things that probably go against the religion itself. Instead of taking steps to correct those, having a decent discussion, and making the religion even stronger, why are they resorting to such cheap politics. That shows the pettiness of the minds, that can never 'progress'. Such pettiness is not limited to Islam, I must say, given the pettiness of minds of Bajrang Dal, MNS, Shiv Sena and such parties. They are all in the same category and they thrive on cheapness, ignorance and 'faith' of common man. All you guys - Islam, MNS, Shiv Sena, if you think your religion is so weak as to not survive even a single word spoken against its followers, better re-look at the religion itself. I am sure the answer will be not in the religion but in the petty minds of the so called upholders of it (maulwis and sadhus). Influence of west, and films and this and that are all crappy things. If the religion is weak, it will die its natural death. Otherwise it will grow even stronger with all the challenges, bring out the best. Let there be more challenges! Who is afraid of them.

Jojo... is Christianity a religion you can be proud of? Priest molesting little children!! by Hemant on 19 Feb 2008

Hey moron... MNS, Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal are not "religion", they are "regional" parties... political parties... heard of politics right "Jojo"... sounds like something I would name my dog... jojo... chooo... what are you? A christian Jojo? Because you are subtly equating Islam with some regional parties that have an inclination towards Hinduism!! Hmmm... makes me wonder....

Where are the Super Secularists by Naren on 19 Feb 2008

Where is super secularist Nanditha Dass, Shabna Azami and Shamt. Why they are not speaking. What about their secularisam.

Javed Akthar???!!!! by Krish on 19 Feb 2008

Buddy, you forgot to include THE KING of pseudo-secularists Mr. Javed Akhtar. Where's that bugger? Can somebody let him know that he has an unfished task...

Why have they locked me up? Asks Taslima Nasreen by suresh sheth on 19 Feb 2008

If several of Taslims Nasreen’s books have been banned in India for upsetting Muslims, then even Koran shall be banned from India for upsetting Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains because Koran calls for ‘killing or converting infidels’.

Ban Quran, worldwide by B. B. Goel on 19 Feb 2008

Banning Quran will not only gave a great relief to India but the whole world. That will be a great service to humanity and human civilization. Anyone sane person will understand that if they analyze Middle Eastern civilization before Islam was invented and imposed around 540 AD there (Muhammad was born around 520 AD).

Taslima by Venkat on 18 Feb 2008

it is sad to se India becoming such an intolerant society. Taslima muzzled because of some violent Jihadis. Raj in Maharashtra rousing the rabble for his own ends, Karuna and his cohorts stoking Tamil chaunism to perpetuate his power, Rajputs attacking a movie!!Why is this happening. Media and the impotent UPA govt should share th blame for not controlling these riff raff Jihadis or Raj Thackerey or Goondas of Karuna. Instead Taslima is put in house arrest, poor laborers of North India are beaten up, docile Brahmins in TN are persequeted and cinema halls are torched!! For the media bad news sells and the politicians who incite these publicity helps. It is reinforcing cycle and UPA govt just looks!!!This is pathetic.

Long live Taslima! by Lucky Boy on 18 Feb 2008

Taslima, do not despair. We are with you. I am glad that India has given you shelter. Do not worry. Stay calm and all will be well in the end. Just like Salman Rushie you too will be appreciated later. The Daned have shown great courage in re-printing the cartoons once again for without freedom of speech and press there can be no freedom at all and we will all be slaves of the fanatic Muslims!

My heart bleeds for you Tasleema by Vidhur on 18 Feb 2008

My heart bleeds for you Tasleema, but I find no way to cure it. You asking freedom, security for yourself; how selfish you are. Why not you try to see we ONE BILLION Bhratiya have no freedom and security. Do you think I am as a Bharatiya more secure than you? No, absolutely no. Jihadi terrorism, naxal-maoist terrorism, pseudo-secular terrorism, christian missionary terrorism has engulfed the nation, we lovingly call Bharat Mata. But don't worry, there are millions of brave sons/daughters of Bharat Mata, who will sacrifice their life for the cause of the nation and dharma. Don't cry, be bold, be courageous, have patient. Your daily cry will not solve your problems, they will kill you from inside. Read Bhagavad Gita with open mind, you will find answers to your all problems.

Secular verse psuedo secular by Bharat on 18 Feb 2008

My Advice to these pseudo secularist, rotten and narrow minded readers they should not jump and write any comment which doesn’t carried justice and balance of act, I am against with the comments of Raj Shanti and P.P. Talwar, my dear correct your thoughts, here is the question, if India is the secular country, then why Tsleema Nasreen leaving in India like a pensioner? and why some people are trying to glorifying M.F. Husain and similar thinking personality, here is a big difference in the act of M.F. Husain and company, and Tasleema Nasreen, one is doing wrong thing by knowing their act, and she is highlighting the some thoughts of ISLAM those are not relevant in entirety, any religion who is adopting good thing by changing of time, any religion who is ready to endorse the corrections modification can only be accepted the people of earth willingly otherwise it would be imposed on the people.

It is not upto punky alligators, to lecture to the author. by DILIP/FRANCE on 18 Feb 2008

Islam is not above scrutiny and criticism, like all other major religions.Like a typical muuddle headed idiot toy start to blabber about Modi and nonsence all.The author has quite rightfully questioned the vaildity and the ratinality of the certain social and moral codes of islam? Why do you find this objectionable?Remember the saying one man's saying is an another man's posion.We are not living in a Muslim country, we are living in a Democratic India, where constitution allows us to qestion invalid codes, which happen to oppress,supress and sudgugate the freedom of expression of the lesser status. If you have difficulty with such reality then you are at liberty to vammoos, to a country of your choice.Obfuscation of the facts will not wash here,as long as the author, is legally in India, she has the right to express her opinion, the way she deems fit, within the context.

Tasleema Nasrin by Varinder Sarin on 18 Feb 2008

Tasleema should know it well that writ of Islamist fundamentalists runs effectively in India and that's why she is being kept in hiding. Did not she saw that even L.K.Adavani has been asked to stop his Yatra programmes due to possible threat of Fundamentalists. Tasleema has to bear this type of treatment atleast until coming elections are over. After all it is a question of Vote Bank Politics.

TEESTA, TEESTA, WHERE ARE YOU? by Indianq on 18 Feb 2008

TEESTA, TEESTA, WHERE ARE YOU? I have always seen you jumping up and down, whenever you have a human rights problem where you can attack Hindus (though generally, it is a false human rights problem involving some Islam terrorist). But, here is a REAL HUMAN RIGHTS PROBLEM, WITH A LADY IN DISTRESS, THE PERPETRATOR OF PRISONING HER BEING THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF...And you are STONE SILENT? You are now exposed as follows, unless you come out TODAY to speak against imprisonment-without-trial of Taslima:-You are employed by US Christians to attack Hinduism and Hindus-You are to use Human Rights as the excuseIn that case, the courts should now on refuse to entertain your petitions about human rights, as POLITICALLY MOTIVATED, RELIGIOUSLY PERVERSIVE petitions..

MUSLIMS CAN NOT BE IGNORED by Ramesh Chandra Anand on 18 Feb 2008

India can not do a thing which is not liked by Muslims.When India can go to the extend of insulting and damaging Hindu and Vedic Culture,what is Taslima Nasreen. Sorry ,you all have to carry this burdon,you like it or not.

Gandhi tune kya kiya: by Sri Ram on 18 Feb 2008

Gandhi tune kya kiya, desh ka kyun satyanaas kiya,rashtra ne tujhe pita banaakar, diya bahut sammaan,lekin teri ek bhul ne, desh ka kiya bahut apmaan;kya tujhe nahi pata tha, Nehru ek murh tha,aye Sabarmati ke sant,kya yah rahasya tere liye itna gurh tha;tune chuna Nehru ko, rashtra ne chuna tha Patel ko,kya tune socha, jantaa nahi samjhi tere iss khel ko;Nehru ko pradhaan-mantri banaakar, tune ek rajniti ka beez boya tha,arjit kiya saara sammaan, tune pal me uss din khoya tha;aaj fasal lahlaha rahi hai, chatukaro, bhraston ke bhesh me,chor congressi khaadi me ghum rahe hai, Ram-Krishn ke desh me;de aasirvad Modi-Advani ko, Congress ke sarvanaas kaa,pa moksha aur sammaan jo tune sun saitaalis me khoya tha.

Rajababu start a national campaign to highlight the failure of this UPA Govt. by DILIP/FRANCE on 18 Feb 2008

rajababu,it beggers belief how this inept,incompetent,weak,feeble,with no conviction,clueless,directionlees,communal and party of the past, is hanging onto power,by devious means,hypocrisy and talking with forktongue.UPA Govt has lost its reputation,its creadibility, its ability to good governance and its will to serve the poeople of india. Theyare waste of time and space and they should Go now.This rag tag UPA tin pot Govt,by hanging on to power, for the sake of ego and Gaddi, is causing untold economical,political and socialproblems., and to cap it all by their communal and social re-engineering policies are creating a divisive and dysfunctional society.Giving succour to the jihadist to create more mayhem.This Govt has now run out of ideas and policies, they must go before they destroy India, incliding there cheer leader.

Victim by Anonymous on 18 Feb 2008

Taslima, you are a victim of Nandigram politics. Congress and Communists have conspired to divert Nandigram fire into a fundamentalist anti-Taslima movement. India cannot be secure for liberals and Hindus as long as UPA rules. We native Hindus have no option, but France may be a better home for you. We surely love our guests, but our brethren in UPA have other priorities!!

HATE GAME by ALI on 18 Feb 2008

this is simply nonsense to imprison taslima , im a moslem as well but i do value freedom of expression , its not first time prophet has been tried to b malligned it happends many times in his life but he never offended those ppl who were against him, its not about hindu or moslem, dont for get wat has been happening to mf hussain , wat has been happening to just a movie jodha akbar, its amazing hindus has no problm what has been happening with mf hussain but they r creating much hue and cry on taslima same for moslems. this is all hypocrycy , our narrowminded behaviour , some one has problm with gandhi some one nehru and some one patel.. all utter nonsense , this is simply hate game nothing more than that

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