New Delhi: Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, who has been living in exile since 1994, on Monday appealed to Union Home minister Amit Shah requesting him to let her stay in India.
“Dear Amit Shahji Namaskar. I live in India because I love this great country. It has been my 2nd home for the last 20 yrs. But MHA has not been extending my residence permit since July 22. I’m so worried. I would be so grateful to you if you let me stay. Warm regards,” Taslima wrote on X, tagging Amit Shah.
A staunch critic of communalism, Taslima was forced to leave Bangladesh after her writings on communalism and women’s equality in Bangladesh were criticised by Islamist fundamentalists.
The Bangladesh government banned some of her books, including ‘Lajja’ (1993) and her autobiography ‘Amar Meyebela’ (1998).
Now 62, Taslima spent 10 years in exile in Sweden, Germany, France and the US before moving to Kolkata in 2004, where she stayed till 2007.
Then she moved to Delhi for three months, liveing under house arrest after being physically attacked. She had to leave India in 2008, and moved to the US. After a few years, Taslima returned to India.
Speaking on the political crisis in Bangladesh following the ouster and escape of prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Taslima claimed that Islamic radicals are brainwashing and indoctrinating youths to make them ‘anti-India, anti-Hindu and pro-Pakistan’.
“The recent actions like violence against Hindus, targeting of journalists and the release of ‘terrorists’ from jails showed it was not a students’ movement but was planned and funded by Islamic jihadis,” PTI quoted Taslima as saying.
