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India extends Taslima Nasreen's residence permit, Bangladeshi author replies

The development comes a day after the author took to social media to appeal to home minister Amit Shah to let her stay in India.

Published on: Oct 22, 2024 03:16 PM IST
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The Union home ministry has extended the residence permit granted to exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, ANI reported on Tuesday.

Taslima Nasreen at the Jaipur Literature FestIval in 2017. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT PHOTO) (Saumya Khandelwal/ HT photo)
Taslima Nasreen at the Jaipur Literature FestIval in 2017. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT PHOTO) (Saumya Khandelwal/ HT photo)

The development comes a day after the author took to social media to appeal to home minister Amit Shah to let her stay in India.

In a post on X, Nasreen had said that India has been her home for the last 20 years.

"Dear Amit Shah ji 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 July22. I'm so worried. I would be so grateful to you if you let me stay," Nasreen had said in a post on X.

Nasreen has been living in exile since 1994, after she was forced to leave Bangladesh. She was criticised by Islamist fundamentalists for her writings on communalism and women's equality in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh government banned some of her books, including her breakthrough novel "Lajja" (1993) and her autobiography "Amar Meyebela" (1998).

Also Read | Taslima Nasreen's strong reaction to Sheikh Hasina's exit from Bangladesh

"Lajja" attracted severe criticism as it detailed violence, rape, lootings and killings of Bengali Hindus after the Babri Masjid demolition in India.

After being forced to leave Bangladesh, Nasreen spent the next 10 years in exile in Sweden, Germany, France, and the US.

Between 2004 and 2007, she stayed in Kolkata but had to leave the city following violent protests by radical Muslims demanding her ouster from India. She was initially moved to Delhi for three months and later had to leave India in 2008 for the United States. After a few years, she returned back to India.

Recently, Taslima Nasreen spoke on the political crisis in Bangladesh that unfolded following Sheikh Hasina's ouster as prime minister. The author claimed that Islamic radicals are brainwashing and indoctrinating youths to make them "anti-India, anti-Hindu and pro-Pakistan".

Also Read | 'Readymade babies': Taslima's tweets on surrogacy create a row

"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,” she had told PTI in an interview.

Nasreen said she and others had initially supported the students' movement in Bangladesh against an "autocratic government".

However, 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", she said.

 
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HT News Desk

Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.

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