'Indian secularists selective,' says Taslima Nasreen
December 08, 2016 23:25
Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen today said she sometimes felt that "Indian secularists are very selective."
"..They fight against Hindu fanatics, but very silent about Islamic fanaticism," said Nasreen, who is in the city as part of launching her latest book 'Exile', a memoir in Thiruvananthapuram.
"I think secularism is practised in India. But, sometimes I feel, Indian secularists are very selective...."
"I protest against all types of fundamentalism and I think that is the good way to do it," she said at an interaction with the audience.
Stating that she was forced to leave her country, she said "after long years of exile, now I believe that people who love me, support me, express solidarity, secularists and human right activists are my home and country...You are my home and you are my country," she said, amid cheers from the audience.
Asked about "Islamophobia" in some Western countries, she said the situation was alarming and "I think secular, humanist, peace loving Muslims should fight the extreme right wings and also the Islamic terrorist."
In this regard, the writer said she was against US president-elect Donald Trump, who she said got elected only because of his speeches "against Muslims". "There are many peace loving Muslims and their percentage is much higher than those who advocate Islamic terrorism," she pointed out.
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