The controversial life of Taslima Nasreen

TASLIMA'S TRAUMA: Taslima's visa has been extended but is leaving India for some time for medical treatment.

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Keywords: Medical Treatment, Bangladesh

New Delhi: Controversial Bangladeshi author, Taslima Nasreen's conflict with the extremists started way back in 1995.

Her book Lajja triggered off calls for her execution by Islamic fundamentalists. She had no option but to leave her homeland, Bangladesh.

Since then she has lived in many countries in exile including France, Sweden and India.

While threats from Bangladesh continued, in September 2005, Taslima was given a one-year Indian visa and permission to stay in Kolkata.

But the year 2007 proved to be a tumultuous one for her.

In March last year, the Islamic group, All India Ittehad Millat Council offered Rs 5 lakh for her beheading.

Later in August, Taslima was attacked by MIM activists at the Hyderabad Press Club during the launch of her novel Shodh in Telegu.

And her worries continued to mount.

The author was packed off from Kolkata soon after a riot-like situation broke out in the city streets on November 22 last year. She was first sent to Jaipur and then to New Delhi where she was moved to a safe house.

The Minister of External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee assured Taslima "shelter" in India, but urged her to "refrain from activities and expressions" that may hurt the sentiments of Muslims in India.

Recognising the mounting social pressure, Taslima agreed to a compromise formula and agreed to remove certain controversial parts from her book, Dwikhandito.

In February 2008, Taslima's visa was extended but she has decided to leave India for some time for medical treatment.

The incidents in India during 2007 prompted Taslima to begin writing a new book, which is to be titled Narir Kono Desh Nei (A woman has no country). The title seems to hold true in her case.