'Taslima should have been moderate in her writings'

"Taslima should have been a little moderate in her writing. The way she writes has left her stateless and I feel very sad for the wrong things happening to her since the time her controversial writings came into print," says Teleya Rehman, director of Democracy Watch, an organistion fighting for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh.

Teleya was in Delhi to attend the launch of a book Secrects of the World's Inspirational Women by Zerbanoo Gifford.

Commenting on Taslima's decision to retrack some phrases from her book Dwikhandito, Teleya says that the damage has already been done and the Muslims, in general, are hurt by her remarks on Islam and the openly discussed matters of sexuality in her books.

Though, the human rights activist who has been associated with the BBC for last 30 years, advocates the complete freedom for expression in a democratic country, she feels the expressions should be compatible to the contemporary society.

"No doubt, Taslima has written about the evil practices in the society, but to have an positive impact on the system, the writings and the wordings have to be compatible with the present social structure," she observes adding that instead of bringing any reforms in the society, Taslima has stirred up not only the Bangladesh but the whole world.

"It's really worrying that such a courageous and prolific writer is presently homeless and spending her days in anonymity," says Teleya, a campaigner of popular education and female empowerment in Bangladesh.

"She has left herself in great trouble which is causing pain to the whole community of writers," she says.

Recalling Taslima's days as a contributer to her husband's newspaper in Bangladesh, Teleya says that Taslima has been writing passionatly since that very time, the only difference is that then there would be an editor, my husband, to edit her stories to make it suitable and acceptable for the larger community.

"I think, as an independent writer, she did miscalculate in advance, the audience response and reactions to her writings and the selection of words," Teleya added.

"I still feel, her writings would have benefited society a lot, should it have been written in an other way round manner or a little moderate manner," says Telyana who herself advocates the freedom of expression as the first step toward the restorastion and development of a democratic system.

"Even now I won't suggest Taslima, as a writer, to be cautious, but to be a little caring about the sentiments and religious feeling of her own people so that the world could be benefited," says Teleya hoping the good and peaceful days ahead for the "troubled" writer.