The opposition leader of the state Shubhendu Adhikari has assured the safety of writer Taslima Nasreen who was exiled from Bangladesh in West Bengal. He said that he would personally take responsibility for Taslima Nasreen's security in West Bengal and urged her to come to West Bengal again and again.
Subhendu Adhikari gave this assurance to Taslima Nasreen while attending an event organized at Rabindra Sadan in Kolkata on Saturday (August 1). Although he was not invited to the event, he suddenly appeared and congratulated the writer.
At this time he handed over a portrait of Rishi Bankimchandra to Taslima Nasrin and welcomed her to West Bengal. Shuvendu said that constitution, democracy, freedom of speech and fundamental rights are protected in West Bengal. So anyone can freely express their opinion here.
He also said that Taslima Nasreen had recently come to West Bengal and was participating in public programs, which he felt was a reflection of the current situation in the state.
While speaking at the event, Shuvendu Adhikari said, "There is bullying here, I will see, I will stop it - these are now a thing of the past."
Then addressing Taslima Nasreen, he said, "I am not invited here. I have come to welcome you because you have come. You are a respected writer. Your writing is read by many people. Welcome to West Bengal."
He further said, "You will come to West Bengal not once, but again and again. It is my responsibility to provide you security. Not only the face has changed in West Bengal, the system has also changed."
Note that Taslima Nasreen has been living in exile in Bangladesh for a long time. His writings on freedom of expression and various socio-religious issues have caused controversies several times in the past.
