For the exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, veiled threats or fatwas for death by fundamentalists for her controversial expressions against Islam are not new.

But Thursday’s sudden attack by members of the Hyderabad-based Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) has once again re-kindled embers of the debate on whether creative freedom is more powerful than religious freedom or creative freedom and religious tolerance can have a harmonious co-existence with due respect for each other.Taslima had been to Hyderabad to release a Telegu translation of her novel Shodh (Getting Even). Though she escaped unhurt, many others were injured. Back in Kolkata after her traumatic experience, Taslima Nasreen spoke to Deccan Herald, on the incident.

Has the attack chilled and chastened you?

No, not at all; for nearly half an hour, death stared at me from close quarters as I locked myself in a room and those men tried to break in and kill me. I was a bit shaken, but it has further steeled my nerves and determination to continue writing. I was attacked on previous occasions too. But it was never like that Thursday. If not for the mediapersons who sustained injuries themselves, I wouldn’t have returned here alive.

What exactly were your feelings then?
I was wondering how they would kill me. Would it be with a knife or a gun! Or would they simply beat me to death. After I escaped from the back door and locked myself up in a room, they even broke down one of the doors. I had never come face-to-face with death like this.

Police in Hyderabad have registered a case against you for hurting religious sentiments. What do you have to say?
I heard it just on Saturday. I am awaiting details. But I can claim with confidence that I have not hurt anybody intentionally. In fact, the release of the book on Thursday had nothing to do with Islam. This is the Telegu translation of an old book of mine, Shodh.

Urdu newspapers in Hyderabad pooh-poohed MIM for wasting a golden opportunity to punish you and instead, described the attack as mere political gimmick. Would you react to this?

Taslima (smiles). Death threats are not new to me, but I am surprised why those newspaper editors still don’t know the meaning of democracy. I would like to plead with the government of India to make them understand the real meaning of democracy as they live in a democratic country like India. As a democratic person, I would say they are entitled to have their own opinion about me. Unfortunately, I’m  not attacking them for harbouring views against me.

Very few Muslim leaders or party have condemned the MIM’s act. Also, moderate Muslim leaders from across the political spectrum are walking the tight rope with conditional condemnation. Why it is so?

I can well understand their predicament. These people are more dangerous than Muslim fundamentalists. You know fundamentalists, but this section is crafty and wears a mask and it is difficult to unmask them.

Already, Muslim fundamentalism has been posing a threat worldwide and I have earned their wrath as I have demanded equal rights for women which they construe as violation of the tenets of Holy Quran.

But these people who consider themselves progressive among the Muslims, yet deliberately shield the fundamentalists through veils and rhetoric, are doing greater harm by further misguiding the community. When it is imperative that they ought to protest against fundamentalism  and oppression on women, they fight shy of doing so for obvious reasons.

Questions have also been raised over your current stay in India. If a renowned painter like M F Hussain has to live in exile for painting Hindu gods and goddesses in the nude, how can you expect to stay in India by hurting Muslim sentiments here?

Good question. You are trying to justify an act of wrong doing by citing another instance of it which is obviously a grave issue. In both instances, people have been acting wrongly. The most important point being missed in the melee is the issue of freedom of expression. Hussainji has the right of freedom of expression as much as I have. There may be dissenting views and opinions on this.

What is democracy? Democracy stands for plurality of views and expressions and not on a single view propagated by fundamentalists belonging to any religious group.

After Uttar Pradesh, it is now turn of Hyderabad and some towns may join soon. The list of places issuing fatwas against you is increasing. Do you think India is still the safest place for you?

You see fundamentalism is everywhere; it’s a global threat. Even if I go to Europe, I’ll be pursued. India is a democratic country and everybody should believe in human rights and freedom of expression. I am a firm believer in freedom of expression. My views could clash with others, but that doesn’t mean I should be killed. I am happy that people who attacked me, were actually in minority while there are so many people who supported me and love me.

The photographers could have just clicked on and on as they would kill me, but see, they chose to save me. It’s India... I want to live peacefully in this country… I want to write peacefully here.