India has had a long tradition of giving refuge to people who have fled their countries of origin for a variety of reason. Most of the times, the reason has been political. But those who sought shelter and protection in India have not been politicians. There have been a large number of religious as well as social and cultural activists among those who made India their temporary home.

In the past, many of our leaders have also sought refuge in other countries. Starting from Rashbehari Bose, Subhash Chandra Bose to communist leaders like M N Roy - many had fled the country when they feared persecution by the British rulers.

Since independence India has been home to refugees from many parts of its neighbourhood. From the high-profile Dalai Lama, to ordinary Tibetans, Afghans, Tamils, Bhutanese, to Bangladeshis, many have found shelter in India over the past 60 years.

Taslima Nasreen, has been one of them. But unlike others, Taslima is not only a writer of repute but also has the uncanny ability to court controversy wherever she goes. Her radical writings against religious fundamentalist and the appalling condition of women in Bangladesh brought her to the focus in her country and elsewhere.
She has been hounded for years both within Bangladesh and elsewhere for her views. But she has also shown the courage to stand by her conviction. However, in doing so, she has often been unable to curb her tendencies to play to the gallery.

The latest round of controversy surrounding her that finally led Taslima to leave for Sweden has brought several questions to the fore. One definitely had to with the conduct of a person who has been given shelter in India, and the other, about the growing intolerance in the Indian society. The attack on Taslima both in Hyderabad and Kolkata is part of a pattern that has also been seen elsewhere in the country.

Be it M F Husain’s paintings or the teachings at the Baroda Art School. What is being witnessed in not a healthy debate but the brute force of the majority, or rather the most vocal sections in our society, with obvious political patronage, trying to steam-roll any form of dissent.

A dissenting voice is an important part in any democratic and progressive society. The failure to accommodate dissent, whether it is in the political, social or cultural field, exposes the immaturity of individuals or groups of people and ultimately stands in the way of a country’s emergence as a confident nation.

Those religious leaders who attack Taslima tend to ignore that Prophet Mohammed was not only a great religious leader and a successful general who led his army to victory against all odds. But he is also remembered as “Rahman-e-Rahim”—the “most merciful” and “compassionate.”

But the other factor is also important. Should people like Taslima and many others be treated as guests or given the full-freedom as others have in India.

If we believe that Taslima should be mindful of her status as a guest and should refrain from doing things that might embarrass the host government. Then we would have to evolve a uniform policy. The Dalai Lama and the Tibetans have also come here to seek refuge. Should we then condemn their action and attempts to storm the Chinese embassy?

If the Indian government felt embarrassed at the suggestion of some western country’s decision to honour Taslima in India, should it allow US Congress Speaker Nancy Pelosi to hold talks with the Dalai Lama at a time when anti-Chinese demonstrations are being staged by members of the Tibetans-in-Exile?
It is a tough call and it is about time that these issues are debated across the country.

The writer is a foreign affairs commentator based in Delhi.