BJP wants permanent visa for Taslima in India

Agartala, Dec 16: BJP national spokesperson Rajib Pratap Rudy today accused the Left Front government in West Bengal of failing to handle the Taslima Nasreen issue efficiently.

Speaking on the issue here today, the former Union Commerce and Civil Aviation Minister demanded that the controversial Bangladeshi writer should get permanent Indian visa, adding that no political party should raise objections against her writing on the pretext of religious fundamentalism.

The BJP leader also criticised CPI (M)-led West Bengal government's stand on Taslima Nasreen and alleged that the Left Front was scared to speak out against the anti-constitutional activities of Islamic fundamentalists, who were destabilising the country's democracy.

''If the Left Front could criticise Taslima Nasreen's anti-Muslim write-ups, then why are they maintaining a silence on M F Hussian's derogatory paintings on Hindu deities,'' Mr Rudy said.

He alleged that the Left Front and a section of the Congress leaders had always been favouring undemocratic tasks for their narrow political interests which were hampering the country's internal security.

UNI