New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday stated categorically that the government will take care to provide shelter to Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen in India.
Making a statement on the floor of the House, Union External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, however, made it clear that India expects its guests behave as one.
He also said that ndia has never refused shelter to those who have come and sought our protection. He said, “The civilisational heritage, which is now a government policy, will continue, as always”.
""India will provide shelter to Taslima. Those who have been granted shelter here have always avoided political activities in India. It is also expected that the guest will refrain from activities which will hurt the sentiments of the countrymen," he said.
"We will not take away the shelter given to Taslima," Mukherjee said. In the same breath, he however added that India doesn't want to spoil its relations with other nations.
On her part, Taslima continues to maintain that she doesn't want to become a political fish. She has been saying repeatedly that she wants to go back to Kolkata, but that may be difficult at this point of time given the kind of outburst that came from West Bengal. Taslima has also gone on record, saying she hates being a political refugee.
The West Bengal government has taken a dual position on the issue as the CPI-M is not ready to welcome her back to in the state.
In spite of a categorial response from the government, the Opposition remained defiant and was not convinced and the Lok Sabha witnessed unruly scenes as the government sought to make a statement on the issue.
The UPA government and the Congress had criticised Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday for offering refuge to Taslima in Gujarat, calling it an opportunistic move. The BJP, on its part, has asked the government to give her the status of a political refugee.
The Bangladeshi author is now staying at the National Security Guards complex in Delhi under the Centre's protection. The Intelligence Bureau had shifted her from Rajasthan House on Monday night fearing protests. She is being given 'Y' grade security, which means she has a security cover of 11 personnel.
Taslima says she doesn't want to be a political issue. "I would love to go back to Kolkata. I am attached to that place, though it's difficult to fulfill that wish now, given the outburst against her last Wednesday.
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