From: iview-AT-technologist.com
Date: Fri, 02 Oct 1998 11:06:53 -0700
Subject: Re: Taslima Nasreen and her head


Partha,

Small point, but not irrelevant...is this a reprint...and is there a
copyright on the text by the online magazine...or is the originator a
staff member of the online magazine?

Also, I feel that Taslima Nasreen should not have left her bangladeshi
sister writers in the dust in her own climb towards international fame
and acclaim...she seems to have a tendency to turn to those who support
sensationalism vs those who support universal human rights.

Lest anyone misundertand me and think me cold-blooded and heartless, I'm
actually moved by Ms. Nasreen's plea to other Governments, and I hope
the outrageous death threat against her cannot be carried out.  The
thought occurs to me, nevertheless, that perhaps she might also turn to
her sister writers who have not only made greater contributions to
bangla literature, but have struggled even harder in protesting
oppression and abuse of Islamic women without leaving Bangladesh.  I
don't presume to know statistics but base my comments on recollections
of my readings by literary analysts and exchanges with other writers.  I
pray for her life and her mother's good health.

Best regards,

-Manjusree 




Partha Banerjee wrote:
> 
> From: Mohaiemen_Naeem <Naeem.Mohaiemen-AT-hbo.com>
> 
> The HINDU
> Friday, October 02, 1998
> SECTION: International
> 
> Taslima's appeal
> Date: 02-10-1998 :: Pg: 14 :: Col: d
> 
> By Our Special Correspondent
> 
> HYDERABAD, Oct. 1.
> 
> The Bangladesh writer, Ms. Taslima Nasreen, has appealed to democratic
> Governments of the world to request the Bangladesh Government to drop the
> case and allow her to leave the country.
> 
> In a letter to Amnesty International, a copy of which was faxed to the
> press, she wrote: ``Dear friends - I was desperate to see my mother who is
> dying. Even though the Government did not want me to go to Bangladesh, I
> went. Soon after my coming, the news broke that I had arrived. The religious
> fundamentalists immediately started their protests. They are demanding my
> execution by hanging. More or less every day, thousands are on the streets,
> making demonstrations and processions against me. In the meantime, an old
> case emerged which was filed four years ago for my book Nirbachito Columns,
> on the charge of hurting the religious feeling of the people. The court
> issued an arrest warrant against me and ordered the seizing of my property.
> This case is non-bailable. I am in hiding now, if I am arrested I will be
> put in prison. If I still try to go to court for bail, nothing is safe for
> me.
> 
> ``On the 4th of October, the fundamentalists will block the Home Ministry
> and demand my death. They have already created a general strike in city
> called Sylhet. The fundamentalists in Bangladesh have planned more future
> actions such as a `long march' and a nation-wide general strike to paralyze
> the whole country. If the Government fails to arrest and hang me, then the
> fundamentalists have declared that they must kill me. So, in this desperate
> situation, being with my sick mother, I need protection. If the democratic
> Governments of the world request the Bangladesh government to ensure my
> security, drop the case issued against me and allow me to leave the country
> when I want in order to save my life, it would be a great comfort to me.
> 
> ``Thank you for your support and solidarity - Taslima Nasreen''.