Author: FPJ New Service
Publication: Free Press Journal
Date: November 27, 2007
A blame game has ensued between the Congress
and the Left over the controversial writer Taslima Nasreen. Even as the Centre
refrained from making an official statement on the issue, the Congress Party
claimed that the West Bengal government had objected to extension of her visa.
However, the state government was overruled by the Centre, it is further claimed.
The party also claimed that the Centre was
completely in the dark when Nasreen was shunted from Kolkata to Jaipur. AICC
spokesman Abhishek Singhvi attacked both the BJP and the Left Front government
in West Bengal, saying, "Nobody has the right to move her from one place
to another without the Centre's permission."
Steering clear of questions on whether the
Congress or the Central government agreed with the views of the controversial
Bangladesh writer, Singhvi said it is not important whether the government
agrees or disagrees with her views. "Agreement or disagreement with the
views has nothing to do with grant or denial of permission to stay in the
country," he said.
Singhvi said when the Centre was examining
the request to extend Nasreen's visa, the West Bengal government had raised
some "legitimate objections" which were rejected by the Union Government
and she was granted permission to stay on. He said there were set rules for
granting such visas and cited the example of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai
Lama. "Such people have to observe certain conditionalities, such as
they cannot participate in political activities and should not cause strain
in our relations with any country," Singhvi said.
Attacking the BJP, he said, "It is ironic
that those who have no respect for human rights have shunted Taslima from
one city to another and are now trying to preach to us." He further accused
the BJP of trying to draw a wedge between communities. On Nasreen's request
that she should be given Indian citizenship, he said it was a different issue
that was again governed by a set of rules and regulations.
imate objections" which were rejected
by the Union Government and she was granted permission to stay on. He said
there were set rules for granting such visas and cited the example of Tibetan
spiritual leader Dalai Lama. "Such people have to observe certain conditionalities,
such as they cannot participate in political activities and should not cause
strain in our relations with any country," Singhvi said.
Attacking the BJP, he said, "It is ironic
that those who have no respect for human rights have shunted Taslima from
one city to another and are now trying to preach to us." He further accused
the BJP of trying to draw a wedge between communities. On Nasreen's request
that she should be given Indian citizenship, he said it was a different issue
that was again governed by a set of rules and regulations.
