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Safeguard Taslima’s
rights We, concerned scholars of South Asia, condemn the attacks on Bangladeshi writer, Taslima Nasreen, by extremist forces in West Bengal who claim to speak for Muslim community. Freedom of speech, dissent and expression must be defended everywhere and at all times by those who are genuinely and consistently committed to these values. The Government of West Bengal has regrettably not fulfilled its obligation to do so even as it disregards the real interests of Muslim communities, forcibly acquiring land for industrial development, much of it from poor Muslims. We also deplore the hypocritical opportunism of Hindu chauvinist groups, including the BJP, who having themselves participated vigorously in attacking artists and filmmakers such as M.F. Husain and Deepa Mehta, are claiming to defend Ms Nasreen against Islamists. We call on the Bangladeshi and Indian governments to safeguard Ms Nasreen’s rights to dignity and freedom of speech and to ensure that she does not become a pawn in an ugly stand-off between Hindu and Muslim chauvinist forces. Dr SUSAN DARUVALA, Dr ANUJ DAWAR, Dr PRIYAMVADA GOPAL, Dr SUBHA MUKHERJI, Dr FARZANA SHAIKH Prof BARBARA HARISS-WHITE, Dr NIKITA SUD (Oxford University) Prof GAUTAM APPA, Dr UTTARA NATARAJAN, Dr HARSH V. PANT, Dr SANGEETA DATTA Dr DWIJEN RANGNEKAR, Prof KEYA GANGULY, Prof TIM BRENNAN (University of Minnesota) Prof SUVIR KAUL, Prof ANIA LOOMBA (University of Pennsylvania) Dr TABISH KHAIR Prof RAJESWARI SUNDERRAJAN (New York University) Prof SABINA SAWHNEY Prof AISHWARY KUMAR |
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