Taslima: Hounded by Secularists Dina Nath Mishra India is known to be a liberal nation that bestows shelter or asylum even to people persecuted in their own country Jews, Parsis, Tibetans et al. Many of them were given land and other relief and privileges, a fact that can also be traced to medieval Indian kings. Perhaps Taslima Nasreen is the only exception. Nasreen was first hounded by the West Bengal government and then by the Central government itself. Her case closely resembles the social persecution of Salman Rushdie. Rushdies Satanic Verses, wherein he critically rendered a narration of Prophet Mohammed, drew the rage of Ayatullah Khomeini, the Islamist ruler of Iran, who issued a fatwa or religious decree against him for his blasphemous writings. Rushdie now resides in the United Kingdom and enjoys all freedom and rights of British citizenship. Khomeinis decree promised monetary reward for the one who would behead Rushdie, upholding that he had the right to punish any citizen of any country, because all the land belongs to Allah! Taslima Nasreen wrote a novel depicting the shameful atrocities perpetrated against the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and aptly titled the novel as Lajja. She exposed the lack of gender justice in Islam, and encouraged a feminist outlook. The top Islamic clergy charged her with blasphemy, and she remained in the eye of the storm of retribution. She took shelter in Kolkata, known for its cultural homogeneity. She also took refuge in European countries for some years, but the alien atmosphere of these countries compelled her to return to Kolkata, which she called her second home. This time, in November 2007, she had to face mob fury in a State ruled by Marxists, the most vocal champions of secularism. Ironically, the mob was managed and led by yet another champion of secularism the Congress. The CPM government bundled her out to Delhi via Rajasthan. In Delhi she could have lived under ordinary security peacefully, continuing with her profession of writing. But the Government of India in its wisdom kept her in secure confinement. It was a virtual jail, she said. Officials of foreign ministry talked to her periodically in order to persuade her to go to some European country. On the contrary, she wanted to return to Kolkata but the Marxists refused her request. One fine morning she got rid of the suffocating atmosphere and took a plane to London. While talking to journalists, she accused the Manmohan Singh government of being fundamentalist. Poor Nasreen did not know the Indian definition of secularism signifying appeasement of Muslims and offending the majority routinely. Secularism means expecting meek and tolerant behaviour from the Hindus. People in general and top intellectuals, including the Leftists, have openly condemned the behaviour and decision of the West Bengal and Central governments on the issue. And nowadays we hear periodic sermons to the Dalai Lama stating that he should not speak or do anything which may harm Indo-China relations. Taslima too was stopped from writing and giving any statements. These are against the basic tenets of recognized rights of refugees as per the UN Charter. Most of the countries practise it. But in India, only votes are of paramount importance; ethics, code of conduct, and human rights of the refugees do not count, if weighed against votes. Human rights are in danger under these circumstances. It will be recalled that VD Savarkar, while fighting for Indias independence, was given refugee status, empowered with all rights, when he took shelter in London. Lala Hardyal, a freedom fighter, was given refugee status by USA, an ally of UK. In recent times, the late Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif too led long lives as refugee. Ayatullah Khomeini also was a refugee in France during Shahs rule in Iran. No country has humiliated even political refugees, India being an exception. The way India treated Taslima Nasreen and is now treating the Dalai Lama, is shameful and against its glorious tradition. Where are the human rights watchdogs now? They have not even shed a drop of tear, and the whole nation appears unconcerned. Some political statements do appear, but they do not galvanize people in the manner required. That is in fact part of the great tragedy. Sentinel Assam Editorial 09.04.08
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