The Hindu : Front Page : Taslima: CPI(M) seeks firm action

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Saturday, Aug 11, 2007
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Taslima: CPI(M) seeks firm action

Anita Joshua

Women’s groups demand adequate protection for Bangladeshi writer

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday said the attack on Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin “militates against the freedom of expression.”

In a statement, the CPI (M) Polit Bureau demanded firm action against those responsible for the attack in Hyderabad on Thursday.

Against secular character

The Polit Bureau said the attack goes against the democratic and secular character of Indian polity. “One may have differences over the writings of Taslima Nasrin or anybody else, but this definitely is not the appropriate manner to express dissent.”

Expressing shock and anger over the “vicious” attack by members of the Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (MIM), women’s groups demanded adequate protection for her.

In a joint statement, the women’s groups said: “We also express serious concern at the threatening statements made by the spokesperson of the MIM as reported on TV channels, and condemn the provocative statement of the MIM MLA, who has openly incited people to violence against the writer, and has transgressed his oath of office which requires that he upholds democratic rights and principles.”

Pointing out that people were entitled to their opinions, the statement said the democratic right to freedom of expression was guaranteed by the Constitution and it should be respected by one and all.

“Such attacks unleashed by self-appointed custodians of religious culture and morality have increased in recent times, and have victimised artists such as M.F. Husain and Shivaji Panikker, among others. It is a matter of deep concern that fundamentalists of all hues have particularly targeted women’s rights. This dangerous trend cannot be justified or tolerated,” they said.

The signatories to the statement include the All India Democratic Women’s Association, Centre for Women’s Development Studies, Guild of Services, Joint Women’s Programme, National Federation of Indian Women, Young Women’s Christian Association and the Muslim Women’s Forum.

The All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisations criticised the attack and said Ms. Nasrin has every right to live and work in a democratic and secular India as she has been given permission to stay here by the Government.

Arcot Prince condemns attack

Chennai Special Correspondent writes

The Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, on Friday condemned the attack on Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin in Hyderabad on Thursday. If the extremists disagreed with her views, they could always join issue with her intellectually. They should not resort to physical attacks, he said.

“Islam preaches tolerance, forgiveness, peace and non-violence and condemns extremism. A true Muslim should strictly adhere to the religion and not indulge in violent behaviour, which is against the tenets of Islam,” he said.

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