Prosecute them

The dastardly attack on Taslima Nasreen by legislators of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) during a book release function in Hyderabad is the latest in a series of recent incidents where bigots have targeted artists, writers or illustrators. And most, if not all, of them happened in public view, in front of journalists and television cameras.

The one key difference in this particular incident was that the rogue MLAs targeted a cultural figure from their own religion — they were quick to declare that she was being attacked because she is a ‘bad’ Muslim. Her crime? Writing about Islam to point out what she thinks are its flaws, chiefly with regard to its alleged attitude towards women.

Nasreen has been a controversial figure, first in her native Bangladesh, which she had to flee, and since then to many Muslims who find her views unacceptable. She has now taken refuge in India. Mindful of the anger she evokes within Muslims, official India has found it difficult to give her Indian citizenship, though she is largely left alone.

For the MIM, her visit to Hyderabad must have come as manna, because it would provide them an opportunity to boost their image among local Muslims. That is precisely what seems to have happened –– a local MP too applauded their ‘brave’ deed of trying to physically harm a defenceless woman and the local Urdu press has praised them.

Given this encouragement, MIM leader and legislator, Akbaruddin Owaisi, in a fit of bravado, vowed to ‘behead’ her if she sets foot on Hyderabad again. Shockingly, but not surprisingly, the Hyderabad police has registered a case against Taslima.

The YSR Reddy government’s skewed priorities are clear –– it does not want to offend the minorities, but is ready to prosecute the victim. This is shameful, but in keeping with the tendency of politicians to pander to extremists, more so if they hail from minority groups. Remember the case of the UP Minister who declared an award for the head of a Danish cartoonist?

Many have found Taslima’s fierce criticism of certain aspects of Islam too much to swallow. The way she was attacked would only tend to confirm the views of many that Islamists are violent towards women.

It is time the Indian state deals strongly with such mischief-makers. The state cannot disregard the threat to our plurality from fringe groups — more so if such violence comes from lawmakers. This is a challenge to the Reddy government, and to its political bosses. They must set an example by immediately prosecuting her attackers, considering that the attack happened in full public view. We should not let this matter become one of shame.