[Reader-list] Attack on Taslima

[MRSG]

This is not the first incident of 'attack' on Taslima. In 'leftist" West 
Bengal, Taslima's programme was banned by West Bengal Government's 
administration in Medinipur in 2005. There the muslims threatened to disrupt 
programme and the CPIM-led government's administration banned the programme. 
And  so-called progressive poets of Bengal, the humanrights-wallas, all 
remained silent. Then this year Taslima was the guest to inaugurate Sliguri 
Book Fair (Siliguri is the largest town in North Bengal). Again hardly 20 
muslims staged a procession and burnt her effigy. Immediately the organisers 
cancelled Taslima's programme. So Taslima is virtually banned in parts of 
West Bengal. But this really represents the true character of today's West 
Bengal which is going to be a part of Bangladesh, courtsey the blatant 
appeasement of Islamic fundamentalist by CPI-M and all shades of Congress. 
In recent elections in Haldia, Medinipur, Mamata Bannerjee did not have 
coalition with 'communal' BJP but had coalition with Jamat who stopped 
Taslima's programme. Taslima is not getting Indian Citizenship because the 
state where she would stay has to give a no-objection certificate. CPM 
government of West Bengal is still refusing to give her no-objection to 
appease their islamic fundamentalist allies and also the Congress. CPI-M 
government banned her book because it can cause communal disturbance. The 
ban has been withdrawn by the court but no communal disturbance occured. 
There is no major difference between Hyderabad and Kolkata in appeasing 
isalmic fumdamentalists. Only difference is that West Bengal was snatched 
away from Pakistan to safeguard non-muslims of Bengal (in fact many a 
leftist ministers are all refugees) but that West Bengal is being gifted 
away to Islamic Bangladesh.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "prakash ray" <pkray11 at gmail.com>
To: <reader-list at sarai.net>
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2007 10:28 AM
Subject: [Reader-list] Attack on Taslima


> *I, on behalf of Cinemela Collectives, strongly condemn the physical 
> attack
> on Taslima Nasreen, a Bangladeshi writer. This attack is entirely against
> the democratic and secular character of the Indian polity and we cannot
> tolerate it in any manner. *
>
> *One may have differences over the writings or any other kind of artistic
> articulations of Taslima Nasreen or anybody else, but this definitely is 
> not
> the appropriate manner to express dissent. This very act militates against
> the freedom of expression. *
> *We demand that the Andhra Pradesh government take firm action against the
> culprits responsible for this attack and the writer must be provided with
> adequate security. We also urge the govts to stop those people who are
> openly threatening artists and cultural activists. *
> **
> *We call upon the democratic-minded people to stand in firm solidarity
> against the fundamentalists of all kinds.*
> **
> *Prakash K Ray*
> *Convenor, Cinemela Collectives *
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