Bhavnagar (Gujrat): Saffron forces on Tuesday jumped into the raging controversy over Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen with Chief Minister Narendra Modi inviting her to Gujarat and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh demanding political asylum for her.
"Taslima has been courageous in speaking out against fundamentalists. If the Central Government cannot look after her, send her to Gujarat. The people and government of Gujarat will look after her. I have the courage to protect her", the Chief Minister said while addressing an election meeting in Botad town of Bhavnagar district.
Modi, the Sangh’s poster-boy, alleged that the Central Government was trying to send Taslima out of the country.
Accusing the Central Government of not being clear on Bangladesh, Modi said first it was unsuccessful in stopping infiltration and now the political allies of those in power have overnight forced Taslima to flee from Kolkata.
He said Taslima, who has written against fundamentalists, was first sent to Rajasthan and then to New Delhi.
Speaking on the sidelines of a function in Delhi, RSS chief K S Sudharshan said, "She should be given political asylum. Jag ke thukraye logon ko, lo mera ghar ka khula dwar (People deserted by others are welcome to my place)," he said.
Asked whether the government should extend her visa, which expires in February 2008, Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s international president Ashok Singhal said, "It is up to the government to take a decision."
"We are in support of freedom of expression of people. The Bangladesh government should realise and act on it," he said.
The Sangh Parivar’s reaction comes days after the BJP’s demand that the Bangladeshi writer be treated as a political refugee and slammed the Centre for remaining silent on the issue.
Source: http://sify.com/news/fullstory
