Former CM’s advice to Taslima: Omit offensive passages from book

Express news service Posted: Feb 09, 2008 at 0243 hrs
Kolkata, February 8 Former chief minister Siddhartha Shankar Ray today said the visa of controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen should not be extended if she doesn’t take up certain corrective measures.

Inaugurating a book titled Islam and Taslima Nasreen, by Professor Syed Manal Shah Alquadri, chair professor of Islamic Culture, University of Calcutta, at the press club, Ray suggested that Taslima show some repentance by

expurgating similar passages (as in her controversial book) in other books also. “She should state she had no intention of hurting anyone’s feelings and that she regrets her actions. She should also promise not to write anything offensive as long as she is in India and not permit the publishing of such works here in future,” Ray stated.

He said while Taslima can enjoy human rights, she is not entitled to enjoy fundamental rights - that includes freedom of expression as bestowed by the Indian Constitution - simply because she is not an Indian citizen.

Talking to the press at the book release, Alquadri said the book intends to clear misconceptions about Islam allegedly being propagated by Taslima in her writings.