Violence in Shimoga, 2 killed, Taslima denies charges

Violence in Shimoga, 2 killed, Taslima denies charges

Mangalore Today

Shimoga, March 2: Exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen on Tuesday said the appearance of an article in a Karnataka newspaper purportedly written by her, which triggered violent protests in Shimoga and Hassan towns, is a "deliberate attempt to malign" her and "misuse" her writings to create disturbance in the society.
   

 

 

 

Nasreen said that she never penned any article for a newspaper in Karnataka.
    
"The incident that occurred in Karnataka on Monday shocked me. I learned that it was provoked by an article written by me that appeared in a Karnataka newspaper. But I have never written any article for any  Karnataka newspaper in my life," she said.
    
Nasreen said, "The appearance of the article is atrocious. In any of my writings I have never mentioned that Prophet Muhammad was against burkha. Therefore this is a distorted story."
    
The author added, "I suspect that it is a deliberate attempt to malign me and to misuse my writings to create disturbance in the society. I wish peace will prevail."
    
The violence in Shimoga, the home town of Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, left two persons dead, one of them in police firing on Sunday.
    
Nasreen, staying in an undisclosed destination due to security reasons since her return to India last month, had her visa extended recently by six months till August this year.
    
Replying to a question, she said she would not like to say anything other than the statement issued by her.

Shimoga, Hassan violence over article publication : Monday, March-01

Shimoga and Hassan cities witnessed widespread violence on Monday following protests by Muslim organisations against the publication of an article in the Sunday magazine section of a Kannada daily.

The article is a translation of an essay by Bangladeshi writer Tasleema Nasreen on the wearing of the burkha by Muslim women, and contains remarks that could be considered religiously insensitive and provocative.

Shimoga was by far the worst affected. The protests spiralled out of control resulting in the death of two persons, one of them in police firing. Several persons were injured and there was large-scale destruction of property in different parts of the city. Police reports stated that at least 15 two-wheelers, three autorickshaws and a large number of shops in the main market areas were set on fire. It is stated that three persons with bullet wounds were admitted to the McGann Hospital in a serious condition. A person manning a telephone booth on Nehru Road was seriously injured when a petrol bomb was thrown at him. He was admitted to the private hospital in a serious condition.

Reporters and photographers were at the receiving end of angry protesters who pelted stones injuring several of them seriously.The situation in Shimoga continues to be tense despite imposition of a curfew and prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code. 

Courtesy- Hindu and NDtv