Taslima says WB government not secular

Pune Mar 11 (UNI) Controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen said that inspite of her country being headed by a woman, not much has been done to ameliorate their lot.

''I would very much like to return to my country to serve the cause of women and their redemption from ignorance and poverty,'' she added.

Though living a life of a recluse in exile since 1990, first in Switzerland and later in India, after her autobriography ''Amaar Meye Bela'' created a furore in Bangladesh, Ms Nasreen said she will continue to write and has not been disheartened by the treatment meted out to her.

Ms Nasreen, who was here to participate in an event organised by a publishing house, came down heavily on the West Bengal government for banning the book and lamented that those who advocate secularlism do not practice the same.

She said about 70 per cent of the population in Bangladesh lives below the poverty line and women there are an oppressed lot because of ignorance.

Ms Nasreen has written 28 books so far, out of which six have been banned.

UNI SP MJ AK HS1658