Ex-MP to adopt threatened Taslima as daughter

New Delhi, Nov 24: Former member of Parliament B L Sharma Prem Singh Sher today offered to adopt exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, who had come under threat from Muslim fundamentalists in the country and has gone into hiding.

After the largescale violence in Kolkata two days ago, Ms Nasreen was forced to flee the Left-ruled state and was now reportedly in hiding in the national capital region.

In a statement, founder of Akhand Hindusthan Morcha, Mr Sher, father of two daughters, said he was ready to adopt her as his third daughter. He said he will provide her accomodation and protection throughout life.

Lawyers Jetendra Singh and S K Muharjee said adoption will be subject to her consent and legal formalities required for the purpose.

Mr Sher took pledge to protect her to uphold the Hindu tradition of protecting human dignity by providing utmost honour in the tradition of Hindu culture of '' atithi devo bhava'' (guest is like God). Giving such protection was also in line with the teachings of 10th Guru Govind Singh who stated that '' cow and under-privileged'' must be protected even at the cost one's life.

The former MP severely criticised West Bengal and other states for throwing out Ms Nasreen.

UNI