Taslima Nasreen’s exit from India has diminished India’s stature as a pluralist, secular democracy. Following fatwas issued by radical clerics in Bangladesh, the author went into exile in 1994. India was among the countries she turned to for sanctuary. She looked upon this country, especially Kolkata, as her home. It is therefore unfortunate that she has felt compelled to leave the country. While threats to her life from religious fundamentalists made life difficult, the Centre and the West Bengal government must bear responsibility for her decision to leave.

They did everything short of deporting her to make her life really difficult in India. Taslima was under threat from religious fundamentalists. In August last year, legislators and activists of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) – a constituent of the United Progressive Alliance government – attacked her in Hyderabad and threatened to behead her if she returned to the city. Then, Muslim conservatives in Kolkata engaged in street violence to oppose the extension of her visa and demanded her deportation. In neither of these instances, did the government act against those threatening her. Instead, they allowed these forces to roam free. What is more, the West Bengal government expelled her from the state. She was thereafter shunted from one place to another and forced to live under virtual house arrest.

Taslima’s departure from India is a victory for the forces of fundamentalism in the country. Instead of acting sternly against them, the government succumbed to their intimidation and handed them an easy victory.

Taslima's exit is a serious blow to Indian secularism as it will embolden fundamentalists further. By failing to protect the individual’s right to freedom of speech and expression, the government has dealt a blow to democracy as well.

India has had a long and proud tradition of providing sanctuary to those fleeing oppression. This
tradition now lies in tatters. It was not just religious

fundamentalists who showed their hostility by calling for Taslima’s deportation but also mainstream Indians who were critical of her outspokenness and wanted her “to behave” and stop criticising the government. The Taslima saga has laid bare India’s shaky commitment to secular, democratic principles.