02-17-2007, 02:24 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Taslima appeals for Indian citizenship
Sudhi Ranjan Sen
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Thursday, February 15, 2007 (New Delhi):
Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen wants a long-term visa or an Indian citizenship.
"My work is suffering because of this. I want to stay here to pursue my work here," she says.
But the Buddadev Bhattacharya government in West Bengal is being careful about reacting to her demands.
The Bangladeshi writer has now been given six more months in India. Perhaps it is worried about how the large Muslim population would feel about an extension.
Hurt sentiments
But the Left denies that the minimal visa extension is because it is scared of hurting Muslim sentiments. .
The Front was one of the first to support artist M F Hussain when his prosecution was cleared by the Home Ministry for hurting communal sentiments.
However, now it clearly says Hussian and Tasleema cannot be equated.
"Taslima's work is not as great. I do not think it has got anything do with the Muslims in the state," says Nilotpal Basu, CPM leader. <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Key factor
The Union Home Ministry that issues visas is using the state's recommendations as an excuse, so it says it cant consider a longer visa because the Buddadev government has not asked for it.
It claims that the state government's recommendation is key in such cases. The state should make an exception, categorising her as a person of eminence and recommending a long term visa
Indian citizenship cannot be granted because Tasleema has to stay for a minimum period of seven years in India to be eligible for it.
Sources in the MHA say this could possibly be the last visa extension for the writer. While the Home Ministry uses the rule book, the Congress party has surprisingly come out in Tasleema's favour.
"No one denies that she is a person of eminence has stood firm against all odds. Lets hope the issue is settled amicably," said Tom Vadakan, Spokesperson, Congress.
Politics is art of possibility and doublespeak. In Taslima's case it is unfortunately all double speak.
http://ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp...ional&id=100941<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sudhi Ranjan Sen
Watch story
Thursday, February 15, 2007 (New Delhi):
Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen wants a long-term visa or an Indian citizenship.
"My work is suffering because of this. I want to stay here to pursue my work here," she says.
But the Buddadev Bhattacharya government in West Bengal is being careful about reacting to her demands.
The Bangladeshi writer has now been given six more months in India. Perhaps it is worried about how the large Muslim population would feel about an extension.
Hurt sentiments
But the Left denies that the minimal visa extension is because it is scared of hurting Muslim sentiments. .
The Front was one of the first to support artist M F Hussain when his prosecution was cleared by the Home Ministry for hurting communal sentiments.
However, now it clearly says Hussian and Tasleema cannot be equated.
"Taslima's work is not as great. I do not think it has got anything do with the Muslims in the state," says Nilotpal Basu, CPM leader. <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo--> Key factor
The Union Home Ministry that issues visas is using the state's recommendations as an excuse, so it says it cant consider a longer visa because the Buddadev government has not asked for it.
It claims that the state government's recommendation is key in such cases. The state should make an exception, categorising her as a person of eminence and recommending a long term visa
Indian citizenship cannot be granted because Tasleema has to stay for a minimum period of seven years in India to be eligible for it.
Sources in the MHA say this could possibly be the last visa extension for the writer. While the Home Ministry uses the rule book, the Congress party has surprisingly come out in Tasleema's favour.
"No one denies that she is a person of eminence has stood firm against all odds. Lets hope the issue is settled amicably," said Tom Vadakan, Spokesperson, Congress.
Politics is art of possibility and doublespeak. In Taslima's case it is unfortunately all double speak.
http://ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp...ional&id=100941<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->