Unlimited reward declared on Taslima's head for 'defaming' Islam

Kolkata, Aug 17 (UNI) Barely a week after she faced a marauding mob in Hyderabad, self-exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen today had an unlimited reward declared on her head by an Imam allegedly for 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 in a month and all her works be banned.

''If our demand is not met, there will be an unlimited cash reward for whoever kills her,'' the Imam declared at a rally, organised by Majlish-E-Soora, a religious body of intellectuals in the downtown Esplanade area.

Threatening that a road blockade would be organised in front of the writer's South Kolkata residence after the Ramjan month, the Imam also warned that the UPA Government at the Centre and the Left Front Government in the state would be responsible for the consequences.

When contacted, the controversial author, whose autobiographical novels 'Lajja' and 'Dwikhandito' earned the wrath of many in Bangladesh and India, hoped that sense would prevail on those responsible for the 'fatwa' and they would change their mind.

''India is a democratic country. Everybody has the right to expression, but nobody has the right to issue a fatwa,'' she said.

However, when contacted, the Imam denied having issued any fatwa. ''What I have said is only a demand,'' he said.

The Imam alleged that by her writings, Ms Nasreen had exposed the Indian Muslims to ridicule and contempt.

In a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the Imam argued that the right to expression did not give one the liberty to defame and create animosity among communities.

The rally was addressed, among others, by Mr Majidulla Khan, spokesperson of Mazlis Bachao Tehrik, Hyderabad.

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 with a plea to the Centre to grant her Indian citizenship.

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

UNI