Taslima on IBNLive chat: 'India is not a theocracy'

BOLD VIEWS: Taslima has been dogged by controversy from the day her book, Lajja, was published.

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Suneela: Hi madam, could you please let us know your views on Indian literature?

Taslima Nasreen: I consider Indian literature really great. I believe that if literature written in regional languages were properly translated there would have been a number of Nobel Prize recipients in this country.

Ananya Biswas Roy: Do you think your writings will help change the attitude of Muslim fundamentalists towards the treatment of Muslim women in any way?

Taslima Nasreen: I write for humanity. I don't write for Muslims alone. And my writings revolve around the human concerns of every society, every human individual. My writings have definitely impacted upon the attitude of males everywhere, fundamentalists or for that even atheists. There are male chauvinists even among those who cannot be described as fundamentalists. My writings talk about equality and equal respect between both genders.

Shirin: Do you think, you can change people by your writing?

Taslima Nasreen: I am a writer. So, whatever change I can make has to be made through my writing. I'll have to go on trying.

Richa: Hi do you regret writing the truth?

Taslima Nasreen: Never.

Jeff Alan: 1. Is atheism really true? 2. Have you discovered the meaning in your life after all you being an atheist having been through various sufferings? 3. What is the greatest hope that an atheist have? 4. What caused you to believe atheism? Is it just because it freed you to your own passions? 5. What eternal value does an atheist possess?

Taslima Nasreen: I am an honest person and I work for humanity. It is not god and religion which have taught me to do what I am doing now. My conscience has been my teacher. I believe the greatest tragedy of mankind is that morality is hijacked by religion. I believe morality existed long before religion was created. Ancient Chinese philosophy propagated long before today's religions were born that don't do unto others what you won't do to yourself...

Ananth: Hi Taslima , what is the message for Muslim youths who are in a changing pahse in their life and getting Talibanised. What accoriding to you should they do so that they do not get radicalised?

Taslima Nasreen: I strongly believe that education is a solution to the problem. These young people should receive proper education about democracy, freedom of expression, equality and tolerance.

Nazia: Salaam Ms Nasreen, I would like to ask you what made you write against purdah etc?

Taslima Nasreen: I always want to see woman with dignity, self-esteem. I never want to see woman as a sexual object, slave, child bearing machine; I don't want to see woman as a mobile prisoner. I want to see woman walking with their heads held high. I never her reduced to somebody's personal property.

Manoranjan Ojha: In India we need people like you. Now the government is plannig to grant you permanent citizenship. If it happens, we will get another true lady in our society.

Taslima Nasreen: I'll be very happy to get permanent citizenship in India. I'd be happy to work for Indian society.

Tisha: Hello Taslima, firstly I would like to tell you that I am a huge fan of yours, and would also like to assure you that myself, and others like myself, will do whatever we can to get you the security, respect, dignity, you deserve so much! Secondly, I am a staunch feminist just as you, and I try to fight the injustice of patriarchy as much as I can. What I want to ask you is, what advise do you give to young feminists such as myself, so that at least somewhere in future, we get to live in the India where we women can wear whatever we want, walk freely on the roads, and live on our own terms?

Taslima Nasreen: Simply don't bother about criticism. Do whatever you like to do. It's your life.

Suneela: Hai Taslima! What are the factors that raised the harassment on women in India? I will be glad to know the ways to eradicate such type of cruel incidents in India.

Taslima Nasreen: Awareness and educating both men and women on women's rights. Children have to be taught to respect women as human beings from an early age. I have written a book called Women Have No Country in Bengali. It will soon be translated into English. The book deals with the emancipation of Indian women.

Ananya Biswas Roy: Thanks for the response. How did it feel Taslima to delete passages from your latest book under political pressure?

Taslima Nasreen: No writer wants to be forced to delete any of her writings. I have been fighting against censorship all my life. But I had no other option.

Next: Taslima on fatwas