Central forces rushed to Karnataka after Taslima row
By IANSTuesday, March 2, 2010
NEW DELHI - Central paramilitary forces have been rushed to riot-hit parts of Karnataka after violence erupted over an article on the Muslim veil based on Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen’s writings, Home Miniser P. Chidambaram said Tuesday.
“The situation is under control, we have rushed in central forces, Chidambaram told a new conference.
Riot-hit Shimoga and Hassan towns were peaceful Tuesday, a day after two people were killed during protests over the article on the Muslim veil published by a Kannada daily.
The home minster said the protests were triggered after a Kannada translation of an article by Nasreen in 2007 was published by a local newspaper.
“This is an article she wrote in 2007. That article was translated in Kannada and published on Milad-ud-Nabi (Prophet Mohammad’s birthday). It is unfortunate. The article seems to have triggered some protests,” he said.
The home minister said he was in touch with Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.
Violence erupted Monday as hundreds of members of the minority community hit the streets in Shimoga and Hassan, around 180 km from Bangalore, protesting against the Kannada daily that carried the article.
Taslima Nasreen, however, clarified that her writings were “distorted” in the controversial article.
