Author: IANS
Publication: The Times of India
Date: April 30, 2005
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1094203.cms
Exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima
Nasreen had to cancel her visit to West Bengal's Midnapore district owing
to protests from Muslim groups there.
In the face of protests by Jamat-e-Ulema-e-Hind,
the district administration cancelled the programme Saturday where Taslima
was to recite her poems.
"I am hurt. Why should we buckle
under the pressure of the fundamentalists who even threatened to blow up
the Mumbai airport when they heard that I was reaching there?" Taslima
asked.
Police officials said though she
had been assured security, the situation could've gone out of hand after
her visit.
The group had blocked roads as part
of weeklong protests against her visit. Police officials had to clamp the
entire area where the programme was to be held.
The controversial writer, who had
fled Bangladesh after Islamic fundamentalists accused her of committing
blasphemy in her book, has lived in Europe, the US and India since then.
She has applied for an Indian citizenship
amidst widespread protests by fundamentalist Muslim groups.
"I know that various groups are
opposing to granting me citizenship. I can say that these Muslim organisations
are not representative of the larger Muslim community in India," Taslima
said.
"The government can hold a referendum
before taking a decision. I enjoy the support of the common people and
also numerous common Muslims," she added.
