- News>
- India
Taslima calls for agitation against censorship
New Delhi, Feb 18: Exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, whose autobiography ``Dwikhandito`` has recently been banned by the west bengal government, today appealed to the literary community to launch an agitation against any form of censorship.
New Delhi, Feb 18: Exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, whose autobiography ''Dwikhandito'' has recently been banned by the west bengal government, today appealed to the literary community to launch an agitation against any form of censorship.
Nasreen made the appeal at a gathering of writers at the release of the Hindi translation of the fourth volume of her autobiography ''Those Dark Days''.
Incidentally, the national book trust had denied her permission to release the book at the ongoing World Book Fair here.
Nasreen said the government had no right to impose a ban on books and it was a violation of human rights.
''My autobiography has been banned today and it could happen to another book tomorrow. Such acts should not take place in civilised society and the reader has the right to choose whether he should read a particular book or not,'' she said.
Nasreen said she was not surprised by the Bangladeshi government's decision to impose a ban on her book as there was no opposition to censorship in that country and religion was exploited for political gains. However, the West Bengal government's decision to ban her autobiography came as a shock.
''The West Bengal government has a progressive outlook so the act of banning my book is an issue of concern,'' she added.
She was against extremism in any religion, not just Islam, Nasreen said.
Imposing a ban on her autobiography served no purpose as it was available on the Internet and accessible to all, she said.
The Hindi translation of her autobiography, published by Vani Publications, was released by Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University former vice chancellor and literary figure Ashok Vajpayee. Nasreen also released filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt's ''Zidd Jeetne Ki''. Bhatt was not present on the occasion.
Nasreen expressed happiness at the massive support she had received in the capital.
Excerpts from her book and poems were also read out at the function.
Bureau Report
Incidentally, the national book trust had denied her permission to release the book at the ongoing World Book Fair here.
Nasreen said the government had no right to impose a ban on books and it was a violation of human rights.
''My autobiography has been banned today and it could happen to another book tomorrow. Such acts should not take place in civilised society and the reader has the right to choose whether he should read a particular book or not,'' she said.
Nasreen said she was not surprised by the Bangladeshi government's decision to impose a ban on her book as there was no opposition to censorship in that country and religion was exploited for political gains. However, the West Bengal government's decision to ban her autobiography came as a shock.
''The West Bengal government has a progressive outlook so the act of banning my book is an issue of concern,'' she added.
She was against extremism in any religion, not just Islam, Nasreen said.
Imposing a ban on her autobiography served no purpose as it was available on the Internet and accessible to all, she said.
The Hindi translation of her autobiography, published by Vani Publications, was released by Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University former vice chancellor and literary figure Ashok Vajpayee. Nasreen also released filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt's ''Zidd Jeetne Ki''. Bhatt was not present on the occasion.
Nasreen expressed happiness at the massive support she had received in the capital.
Excerpts from her book and poems were also read out at the function.
Bureau Report