Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 19:30:31 -0400
From: Partha Banerjee <partha-AT-capital.net>
Subject: Re: Taslima Nasreen and her head


I have my own reservations about Taslima, her sensationalism (and bad
writing), and all. However, that does not exempt her from getting our
support from an international arena. This is all we can do to support her
voice of dissent and oppose barbarism practised by fundamentalists and
fanatics and fascists. We do it in Bangladesh, we do it in India, we do it
in USA. And we don't get befooled by double standards and
confusion-creating tactics of the bigots.
__________

>Partha,
...
>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