Taslima says she believes in democracy, govt condemns attack

HYDERABAD: Controversial exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, who was attacked by Muslim activists in Hyderabad, said she believed in democracy and hoped to live safely in this country.

The Union government meanwhile condemned the attack as shameful.

"I believe in democracy. I hope to live safely in this country as a democrat. The people who attacked me are in a minority. I get support and sympathy from a majority of people. I thank them," she said.

Taslima has been living in India since fleeing her homeland in 1994 after radical Muslims described her writings as blasphemous and demanded her execution.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said it is highly regrettable if any person is subjected to any attack whether he or she is from India or abroad. "We condemn the attack," he said.