| Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin is again in news for | | | | You live in India and not in your motherland. Is it by |
| mindless protest against her comments and writings on | | | | choice or by compulsion? |
| Islam. This time Shahi Imam, Syed Noor-Ur-Rehman | | | | Taslima: Of course, by choice. India is not the land |
| Barkati, of Tipu Sultan Mosque in Kolkata on August 17, | | | | where I took birth, but it is the land where I find peace |
| 2007 issued a "death warrant" urging the "followers of | | | | of mind and security. Moreover, there is hardly any |
| the true faith" that anyone, who eliminates Taslima | | | | cultural difference between India and Bangladesh. And, |
| Nasrin would be rewarded Rs one lakh in cash. Nasrin | | | | I love this country as well. |
| had to face a violent protest recently in her adopted | | | | Don't you feel scared here in India? |
| abode, when some Islamic fundamentalist organizations | | | | Taslima: No. Although, I was shocked to see the way |
| disrupted a public function where she was the chief | | | | some people behaved the other day in Hyderabad. |
| guest. They shouted slogans like, "Taslima Hatao, Desh | | | | Abuses and things were hurled on me. And, it all |
| Bachao" (Drive out Taslima, Save the country). | | | | happened in the presence of educated people. |
| According to cleric, he was compelled to have issued | | | | However, I have now become used to it and I don't |
| such a Fatwa because the government failed to act | | | | have any grudges against anyone protesting against |
| and drive her out of the country. In this background | | | | me. |
| celebrated author Taslima Nasrin shares her secrets | | | | You have applied for Indian citizenship. What is the |
| with HeadlinesIndia special correspondent Partho | | | | status of your application? |
| Burman in an exclusive interview: | | | | Taslima: My application for the citizenship in India is on |
| Syed Noor-Ur-Rehman Barkat has issued a Fatwa | | | | humane ground. I am aware that India respects all the |
| against you. What is your first reaction? | | | | religions, castes and creeds, and I am optimistic that |
| Taslima: To be honest, I am afraid to comment on | | | | my request for citizenship would be granted. |
| Syed Noor-Ur-Rehman that he has not read any of | | | | Are you planning any new book? |
| my books and because of that he has issued such a | | | | Taslima: Yes, I am working on it. It is again about |
| declaration. The books on women, I have been writing, | | | | women and their rights and freedom. The title of my |
| are not controversial rather they have been | | | | book is, ''Women Have No Country''. The book will be |
| deliberately made to look like controversial by these | | | | released in the month of August itself. |
| fundamentalists. I write about the plight of women in | | | | Has government provided you any security after the |
| our society. Don't you think that what I pen for the right | | | | attack? Are the arrangements satisfactory? |
| of women is being strangulated? | | | | Taslima: Oh, Yes. The government has assured me to |
| Taslima Nasrin during happier times | | | | provide security following the attack on me in |
| You have been targeted at a public function. Would | | | | Hyderabad. I just dislike being mobbed but thanks to |
| you stop attending public function and meetings? | | | | the government for providing me an adequate security |
| Taslima: No way, not at all. Why should I stop attending | | | | arrangement. |
| any public function? That is the platform to express | | | | Have you received any literary support from |
| my mind. And, one thing is sure that by disrupting public | | | | International/Indian circle? |
| function the way they did recently or by issuing Fatwa | | | | Taslima: Yes, and my sincere thanks to the entire |
| against me they can not shun my voice. Their attempt | | | | literary circle for providing me the moral support in all |
| to keep women subservient to their male counterparts | | | | my endeavours. I presume, a group of people around |
| would not succeed. I would keep my struggle against | | | | the world still supports the freedom of penning the |
| injustice alive. | | | | truth. |