AU cancels Taslima's lecture

Allahabad, August 12 (UNI) The Allahabad University has cancelled the lecture by controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen on August 14 to avoid any unforseen circumstances.

Few days back, Dr Nasreen became the victim of MIM activists' fury in Hyderabad at her book release function.

The AU authorities decided to cancel the programme after long deliberations, based on the threats issued by various groups.

The administration took the decision with a view to maintain peace and order in the varsity, sources said.

However, a section of secular groups have described the move as an ''act of cowardice'' and maintained that the administration cowed down to the threats of the fundamentalist organisations.

They also maintained that this would give a wrong message to the world and put question marks over the secular fabrics of the country.

Meanwhile, the organisations opposing the visit of the authors visit have welcomed the decision.

Dr Nasreen was to give a lecture on ''my life and struggle'' at the first anniversary of Women Advisory Board on August 14.

UNI