Intellectuals, rights activists to walk for Taslima

KOLKATA: Eminent theatre artists and human rights activists will take out a silent procession here in support of controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, demanding that she be allowed to stay at a place of her choice in the country.

Noted actor-director Aparna Sen, artist Shuvaprassana, theatre personalities Bibhas Chakraborty and Shaonli Mitra and economist Amlan Dutta will take part in the procession, according to Ruby Mukherjee, a human rights activist andorganiser of the rally.

"There is no political party involved in this rally. This is a purely civil society initiative," she said.

Stating that the procession would be a silent one, she said the participants would, however, carry posters and banners demanding freedom of movement for Nasreen.
   
"Our protest would basically be against the inhuman treatment to Taslima Nasreen by both the West Bengal government and the Centre. We want that she be allowed to stay at any place in India that she chooses to," Mukherjee said.

On October 20, Nasreen told that she had been informed by government officials that she will not be allowed to return to Kolkata for now.
    
Hinting that her movements at her place of stay were restricted, she said "I want to lead a normal life again."

"I told the government officials that I be allowed to lead a normal life at least in Delhi," she said.
   
 On Friday, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Nasreen should talk to officials of the ministry if she faced problems.