Drama over Taslima book

As with Salman Rushdie in Jaipur, a book launch involving controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin was cancelled here on Wednesday following pressure from Islamist groups. HT reports.

As with Salman Rushdie in Jaipur, a book launch involving controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin was cancelled here on Wednesday following pressure from Islamist groups.

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However, the publishers later launched the book, Nirbasan (Exile), in an open-air event.

Nasrin, who isn’t allowed entry into Kolkata, said on phone: “The city of progressives cannot launch my book even in my absence; it seems all political parties are afraid of the fanatics.”

Joint commissioner Javed Shamim told HT: “Muslim groups were unhappy over the event, so it was called off.”