taslima´s tears

Taslima´s Tears

( Issued amended on-05-09-2007)
By Kulamarva Balakrishn
Vienna: I am concerned about Taslima´s Tears. Earlier this
month a mob led by the so called Islamists invaded India´s Hyderabad Press
Club premises,where she was attending the release of Telugu edition of her book,
threatening to kill her. She was saved by her hosts with the help of police.
The police, later however ,registered a case against her on the complaints
of the law breakers that she was set on creating enmity between religions,
even though that was not the case. Taslima in fact was compelled to leave
her country of birth as she stood up to protect the minorities living in Bangla
Desh. As it was, she was already engaged as a medical doctor, in healing
the rape rescued young girls.The rapists were none other than relations
living under the umbrella of South Asia´s extended Muslim families.The
experience also serves to explain her allergy to males in general, Muslim
males in particular.Now she is 45 and all alone, temporarily living at Kolkota
(Calcutta).I remember in 1994, I had applied for a Visa to go do Dhakka.
As it happened I was a professional journalist before my retirement,the
Bangla Desh High Commission refused me entry Visa.My intended visit
to Bangla Desh had nothing to do with Journalism.An exporter of Bangla
Desh had sought my help to get him and his firm a right business contact.
As I was not given to introduce strangers to my business contacts, I had
asked for an opportunity to visit them on spot to convince myself the
company was indeed sound one.To begin with the company asked me to
fax two pages from my passport.Then I was asked to present myself at the
Bangla High Commission at Kolkota.When I presented myself,after
making me wait about two hours, I was told I could not be given an entry
permit. I had to cancel my booked flight to Dhakka.When confronted by
the exporting firm, I had to tell them truthfully since in their country there
is no law but primitive Islamic law under operation I could not help them.
It was only natural to Austrian and German importers to retain legal safety
valves,which was not allowed in the then Bangla Desh.The event took
place just a few months after Taslima controversy had broken out the
brave young woman doctor was saved by the intervention of Swedish
Playwrights, Editors and Novelists´ forum. I am happy for the timely
Swedish intervention, an individual of highest integrity in my part of
geography was rescued from the lynch justice of the mob in a neighboring
lawless country.Then I read Taslima´s reportage novel =Lajja= (Shame).
My heart went out for her.In fact I like to adapt her as my second daughter
World Vision fashion without any cash involvement.What she needs is a
sense of belongingness and emotional support, the type Princess Diana
got,that is unrestricted human love.This was followed by my readings of
her translated poems. I my view she is a great poetess.I consider she is the
true inheritor of the legacy of the great humanist Bengali poet, the first
world war veteran the late Kazi Nazrul Islam, who was held in great esteem
both in Bangla Desh and Indian West Bengal. Now I know there are new
muslim bridges being created. These should help women in the Kingdom of
Holy Places. After all it was a woman, his elderly wife, who protected her
=hisband= at the time of his spiritual crisis.When he was unable to withhold
the pressure of new revelations to him in mount =Hira=,which were later to
become the holy book of the new religion,the great woman was his comfort.
She gave him everything. But the religion he established treats women as
second class citizens! What greater living blasphemy Islam can endure?
I think, the Kingdom should make amends to its women citizens.Mothers,
aunts,sisters,daughters and daughters-in-law should enabled to hold their
head high without having to cover themselves under black curtains.That
would be the first step to heal the wounds of soul inflicted on Taslima,
the healing nightingale and great poetess. I am aware Taslima has been
accused of being obscene. It is not true. Truth can never be obscene.
It is the hidden ugliness that is filthy and obscene.Let us therefore make
the guardians of this hidden obscenity account themselves in the first place.
You can help Taslima by appealing to email: presidentofindia@rb.nic.in
for her citizenship and protection.Media friends are welcome to use this
contribution under acknowledgement. (end)