Indian Humanist Union urges Govt to respect Taslima's wish

New Delhi, Aug 10 (UNI) The Indian Humanist Union today appealed to the government to respect Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen's wish to live in India and "lead a normal life as a free person'.

India's secular credentials are under test. The world community is watching'', Chairman of the Union Vir Narain said in a statement here today.

'' There has been a perception that the government has been giving in to orthodox elements who oppose freedom of expression in matters of faith, holding out threats that peace and communal harmony will be disturbed. This cannot be allowed to undermine India's commitment to human rights, secularism and the rule of law'', he said.

Mr Narain hoped the government would not succumb this time to orthodox forces.

The controversial Bangladeshi writer returned to India from Sweden on August 8. She has again been lodged at some undisclosed place here. She has been making fervent appeals to the government to allow her to go back to Kolkata where she had been living in exile, and from where she was shifted after the fundamentalist forces increased their pressure on the state government to deport the writer to her home country.

UNI NAZ KK RK1040