Taslima NasreenIt is a crying shame for India that in Hyderabad, famed internationally acclaimed Bengali writer Taslima Nasreen was attacked, with intention to kill, by muslim fundamentalists from MIM party which includes MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) who stated that he was a muslim first and MLA later. His attempt to kill was derided by a rival MLA who stated that he should have actually killed her then and there (not that he left any stone unturned in his attempt to kill but was thwarted by the cops) to show respect for muslim sentiments!

She was in Hyderabad for the launch of her book Shodh in Telugu.Three MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly) of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen were among those who physically attacked her with bouquets, flower pots and chairs, accusing of perceived "anti-Muslim" statements.Akbaruddin Owaisi, one of the MLA's, tried to justify the attacks by saying, "We are not bothered about our MLA status. We are Muslims first."

I am ashamed to think these muslim fundamentalists are born in the same country that I love and respect so much.

Nasreen has spoken out in the past in favour of equal rights for women and has expressed opposition to the oppression of non-Islamic minorities in Islamic societies, such as in her home country Bangladesh. She is a strong feminist and renounced her birth religion islam to become an atheist. It would be our honor to give her citizenship or at least permanent residency that she wants.

I am unable to decide which of the following news is sadder:

1. Today the Hyderabad police have registered a case against her for hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims.

2.

The Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT), a MIM rival, meanwhile alleged that MIM foiled its (MBT's) plan to kill Taslima outside the press club.

MIM also came under criticism from some Urdu newspapers for attacking Nasreen with bouquets.

Carrying pictures of MIM legislators hurling bouquets, a newspaper came down heavily on the leaders for allowing her to leave Hyderabad unhurt.

Considered a critic of MIM, the Siasat newspaper lampooned the legislators for their failure to inflict injuries to a woman. The paper suggested that Nasreen could have been killed as the police reached the scene 30 minutes after the attack.

- M&C

What do you think?