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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Keywords: Taslima Nasreen, Bangladeshi author

Sharad: What do you think, how India is treating you? Do you feel like going to some other country?

Taslima Nasreen: I am in an undisclosed location and I am not allowed to step out; not even allowed to receive any friends. I have been kept in complete isolation, in confinement. Hope, I will be allowed to gain freedom and permitted to move about freely. That's my dream — to be released from this condition.

Raianil: We salute you brave lady for writing something which will change the society.

Taslima Nasreen: Thank you for the support and solidarity you have shown to me.

Sambaran Mitra: I apologise for the hardship you are having to face. I feel ashamed as an Indian (more so as Bengali) that I have knelt down in front of fundamentalists.

Taslima Nasreen: Let's hope that this secular democracy will value freedom of expression and human rights.

Srikanth: If you are on the side of the government, how would you handle the situation like this?

Taslima Nasreen: Had I been in the government, I would have allowed Taslima Nareen to let her go to her home in Kolkata and let her write whatever she believes in. This being a secular democracy, her right to freely express her views will be protected.

Nalin Tiwari: Certain sections in India, especially those who are apologetic about criticism of Islamic laws, try to draw a parallel between your case and the case for MF Hussain bundling them together as fight for 'freedom of expression'. However I feel labeling it thus trivialises your case since you stand for the need of reforms in a society which insists upon living by the laws laid down 1400 years ago by desert warlords whereas Hindus can still do without nude paintings of their godesses. So how do you see this entire debate and how much do you approve Husain's paintings?

Taslima Nasreen: I strongly believe in the freedom of expression for me as well as for MF Husain

Nashir: Hello Taslima, can you tell me what have you written which has cause you so much trouble as your book is not available here?

Taslima Nasreen: You have to read my books first.

Venkat: Good afternoon m'am. What do you think about the present situation where some poets are being issued fatwas? Should there be fatwas at all?

Taslima Nasreen: Fatwa is an act of barbarism. No thinking individual can tolerate these edicts.

I am grateful to all of you for the sympathy and support you have extended to me. It has made me all the determined and all the more committed to my cause. Thank you.