Taslima Nasreen questioned India regarding why atheists and free thinkers are not being granted asylum. She stated that questioning religion is not a crime and India should provide protection in accordance with its liberal tradition.
New Delhi: Renowned Bangladeshi writer and social activist Taslima Nasreen has recently raised a significant issue. She tweeted that individuals from countries where atheists and free thinkers face threats to their lives should be provided refuge in safe places. She believes that criminalizing the right to think and question is shameful for any civilized society.
Plight of Atheists and Free Thinkers
In her tweet, Taslima wrote that in countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, not only Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians face persecution, but the situation is dire for those who question religion, criticize Islam, or are atheists.
According to her, atheists and free thinkers are directly targeted by Islamic fundamentalists and jihadis. Many have been openly murdered in broad daylight. Some are forced to live in hiding or in silence. Many have fled their countries to save their lives.
Nasreen stated that such individuals are often born into Muslim families but have begun to criticize religion to protect society from superstition and extremism.
Question to India: Why is Asylum Not Granted?
Taslima asserts that many atheist thinkers have come to India, but they have not received permanent shelter. Some were compelled to go to Nepal, but there too, they neither received citizenship nor the right to work.
She questioned in her tweet that India has always offered asylum to persecuted people from other countries. Parsis, Jews, the Dalai Lama, and his followers. Even today, 40,000 Rohingya and Muslims from Pakistan-Afghanistan are safe in India. Then the question arises, why are the doors of India closed to atheist thinkers from Bangladesh?
India's Tradition and Liberalism
Nasreen reminded that India is identified by its liberalism, humanity, secularism, and freedom of expression. She said that atheism has also been accepted within the tradition of Sanatan Dharma. In such a context, why is there a problem in granting asylum to a few hundred thinkers in India?
Taslima emphasized that these individuals are not part of any terrorist or jihadi network. They are writers, researchers, and social reformers. Therefore, they should be provided a safe haven.
Issue Goes Viral on Social Media
Taslima's tweet has become a topic of discussion on social media. People have viewed it in connection with freedom of expression and the protection of human rights.
Need for Security for Atheists and Free Thinkers
According to Taslima, atheists and free thinkers are often in danger for their lives. They should be provided safe shelter and the right to work. This is not just a matter of human rights but is also crucial for the propagation of open thought and knowledge in society.
