Mahasweta Devi supports Taslima's citizenship plea

A group of Bengali writers, poets and intellectuals have supported a controversial Bangladeshi writer's plea for Indian citizenship.

Ms Nasreen faced death threats in her homeland

"The Indian government should not make a fuss about this. Taslima deserves our support and refuge and she should be given citizenship," said leading writer and social worker Mahasweta Devi.
Mahasweta Devi

"Like us, she is a Bengali, and she only writes in Bengali. She cannot enter Bangladesh, so her only option is to live amongst Bengalis in Calcutta if she has to exist as a writer of some consequence," said writer Shib Narain Ray.

Nearly 50 writers, painters and intellectuals of Calcutta have signed a petition supporting Ms Nasreen's bid for Indian citizenship.

The Indian federal government has still to decide on whether to give the writer Indian citizenship.

Taslima Nasreen, who went into self-imposed exile, has repeated her wish to be an Indian citizen.

Conservative Muslims in the 42-year-old author's homeland have condemned a number of her writings as blasphemous.

The doctor-turned-writer left Bangladesh for Sweden in 1994 amid calls for her execution.

She is currently living in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta on a visitor's visa and has said she wants to make the city her home.