'Govt should not give in to fundamentalists'

New Delhi: Taking refuge in New Delhi for the past two days, controversial Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen awaits the Centre’s verdict on the status of her stay in the country.

Taslima, on her part, has indicated her eagerness to return to Kolkata.

Speaking exclusively to CNN-IBN, she said, "I am not allowed to go back to my own country, I was forced to leave Calcutta and I want to go back Calcutta, to my home."

But CNN-IBN has learnt that the CPM government in West Bengal, in its report to the Centre, says Taslima's presence in the state would threaten peace.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who has been already under fire for his mishandling of Nandigram, welcomed the author back but later did a U-turn and denied ever having taken a stand to ask her to come back to the state.

Meanwhile, the BJP has asked the Centre to grant her asylum as a political refugee just like Tibetan refugees.

The BJP lapped up the opportunity to take on the Government and upped its ante on Taslima’s presence in the country, accusing the Centre of bowing to Islamic fundamentalists.

Taslima is staying at the Rajasthan House in Delhi at the moment.

Confirming that the Government was yet to take a decision on Taslima’s visa, which - for now - is valid till February, Union Home Ministry sources told CNN-IBN that the Rajasthan government had told the author to stay as their guest in Rajasthan House for some time.

The Congress, however, finds itself defending its Left ally.

“They did not permit her to land in Rajasthan. This is about double-speak and nothing else,” said Congress leader Tom Vadakkan.

Meanwhile, the controversial novelist longs to be unhindered.

"The Indian Government has given adequate security to me," she said, "(but) I dream of walking around freely on streets." She added, "I am a writer, and I only want to write."

Speaking to CNN-IBN about the entire episode, Taslima said, "The Government should not give in to dictates of fundamentalists. I think, if we allow fundamentalists to go unopposed, no society will be safe."