Imam declares 'unlimited reward' on head of Taslima Nasreen

Kolkata, Aug 17(UNI) Close on the heels of the attack on Ms Taslima Nasreen in Hyderabad, an Imam today declared 'unlimited reward' on the head of the Bangladeshi writer charging her with defaming Islam and the Prophet.

Speaking at a rally after the Friday prayers, Syed Mohammed Noorur Rahman Barkati, the Shai Imam of Tipu Sultan Shahi Masjid, also demanded that Ms Nasreen be deported from the country within a month.

'' If our demand is not met, there will be an unlimited cash reward for whosoever kills her. The UPA Government at the Centre and the Left Front Government in the state would be responsible for the consequences,'' he told the gathering at the downtown Esplanade area.

'' If you harbour Nasreen and Rushdie in India, then drive away all the Muslims from this country,'' a banner displayed at the gathering read.

Alleging that Ms Nasreen had exposed the Indian Muslims to ridicule and contempt, the Imam threatened to organise a road block in front of the writer's south Kolkata residence after Ramzan.

Mr Majidulla Khan, political spokesman of Mazlis Bachao Committee, Hyderabad, also spoke at the rally.

Ms Nasreen was attacked by members of Majlis Ittehadul Musilmeen in Hyderabad during a book launch on August 9 as a band of people barged inside the local press club, alleging that the author had hurt the sentiments of Muslims.

The Bangladeshi writer, who fled home following an Islamic Fatwa against her, had been living in exile in Kolkata for quite some time and had pleaded for grant of Indian citizenship.

The period of her visa, which expired on Agust 12, had been extended by another six months by the Government.

UNI