Mahashweta Devi, others urge Govt to give citizenship to Taslima

New Delhi, Aug 10 (UNI) Eminent writer Mahasweta Devi and a number of noted writers and cultural activists today joined the Jan Sanskriti Manch in condemning yesterday's attack on exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen and urged the government to grant citizenship to her.

In a statement here, they said the assault on the Bangaldeshi writer at the Hyderabad Press Club was a direct attack on the freedom of expression.

Taslima has been targeted by both Hindu and Muslim fundamentalists because she has opened a front against the retrograde, orthodox and male-dominated values and set up of society,'' said the statement.

It was signed among others by critic Manager Pandey, editor of Hans magazine Rajendra Yadav, poet Vishnu Khare and writers Ajai Singh and Mateye Pushpa.

They all demanded strict action against the culprits and urged the government to grant citizenship to the controversial writer.

UNI