[SASIALIT] RE: Narendra Modi invites Taslima to Gujarat

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I think this whole thing of crucifying an author because he/she wrote
something is absurd, and lacks any merit.

I think if a certain section of people feel that some book has offended them
let them issue a warning to their own members not to read the book. This
could hurt the author because then the book will not sell.

However, to beat up an author because he/she wrote something is to go to
extremes. The people who do the beating or vandalizing may not have read the
book themselves. Do they follow literature as to know what boundaries the
author transgressed?

Freedom of expression is guaranteed by the constitution of India and authors
should be assured of the freedom of writing freely to encourage debate and
discussion. If a certain section finds it objectionable it would be better
to ask them not to buy the book. End of the matter.

I have read Taslima's "Shame" and find nothing objectionable in the book.
Taken in isolation, the book has nothing that is offensive compared to some
other books that are in circulation. What Taslima is against is a few people
who do not have the courtesy to read her books taking up on behalf of their
faith to attack and hurt her. Her answer to them should be "If you have read
my books, tell me what part of it (chapter and verse) you do not like." Then
come and discuss the issue with me.

My tuppence worth!

John Matthew






>
> Srini, her approach to humanism, to secularism, to church-state separation
> -- has caught on wildly.  Among people who wield pens, not swords.
>
> And while we're mixing metaphors, if you're going to kill the chef because
> you didn't like his pudding, maybe you should only eat at home.
>
> - AjitD
>
>
> > Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 19:14:35 -0800
> > From: srini_nagul at yahoo.com
> > To: sasialit at mailman.rice.edu
> > Subject: [SASIALIT] RE: Narendra Modi invites Taslima to Gujarat
> >
> >
> >
> > Ajit Sanzgiri  wrote:> Taslima's views are dated and old hat and do not
> deserve glorification. But the
> >> Koran, Vedas and the Bible are .... not dated or old hat ?
> >
> > Difference lies in the pudding. If her approach or gospel is really so
> good, why has it not already caught on ?!
> >
> > Regards
> > -Srinivas
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.