Letters to the editor

It8217;s unfortunate that the Nandigram issue has been communalised by the attack on Taslima Nasreen.

Love that transcends

It8217;s unfortunate that the Nandigram issue has been communalised by the attack on Taslima Nasreen. The Jamiat-ul-Ulema has done excellent work in the field of religious education. During Partition, its leader Husain Ahmed Madni was a powerful voice for the unity of the country. But by kicking up the Taslima Nasreen case, the Jamiat has done much harm to secularism. Muslims of India cannot afford to lose the few liberal friends that they have. Taslima8217;s writings generate a feeling of Islamophobia. But when will my fellow Muslims appreciate that threatening a Salman Rushdie or a Taslima only makes them into heroes? The Prophet would face a daily barrage of dirt thrown at him, by a woman in Mecca. His response was silent prayer. One day the dirt did not come. On inquiry, he learnt that the woman was sick. Immediately the Prophet went to her house and prayed for her recovery. Can8217;t we Muslims emulate our beloved Prophet?

8212; J.S. Bandukwala

Vadodara

Resident Taslima

Shameful for a country like ours that a battered person like Taslima Nasreen had to suffer being shunted from place to place. The communists, who call themselves champions of secularism, forced her to leave Kolkata, only to save their skin from their misdeeds at Nandigram. Even the Human Rights Commission has failed to take note of the incident and take the West Bengal government to task. The Minority Commission has no moral right to exist if it does not take action on this issue.

The Government of India should give her a permanent visa as she and/or her parents are the citizens of undivided India. As someone pointed out, when thousands of Bangladeshis are allowed to stay clandestinely, why can8217;t Taslima Nasreen stay here legally? The BJP may be trying to earn a political dividend, but the fact remains that her persecution is real. The hardliners in the Muslim community should be told in no uncertain words that they have no business threatening Nasreen as she is a free world citizen.

8212; M.H. Nayak

Mumbai

Politicians8217; prey

It would be laughable if anyone denies that Taslima Nasreen is becoming a victim of the blatant threat of violence 8212; whether perpetrated by mobs or individuals. Ritu Menon has rightly brought up the question of people8217;s elected representatives inciting or indulging in street violence. The UP minister who publicly announced a huge reward for the head of someone he did not like or approve of is roaming free even today. If this is not checked by the community, the virus will infect other religionists too. Our politicians have not shown any sense of responsibility over the decades to promote social harmony.

8212; R. Venkatanarayanan

Noida

Pak test

Nawaz Sharif8217;s return to Pakistan means nothing for the country unless he succeeds in freeing his country from the clutches of religious extremism 8212; which is increasing there by the day. The time has come for Pakistani politicians to realise that if terrorism goes unchecked, theirs is a future of ruination. Both Benazir Bhutto and Sharif will have to do everything in their power to save their country.

8212; Saad Ullah Khan

Aligarh