EVER SINCE I left Bangladesh in 1993 after the fatwa was issued, I got protection everywhere I went, across the world. In 2000, when I came down to Mumbai for the inauguration of my book Shodh, some Muslim fundamentalists objected to my presence. They wanted to kill me and burn down the airport. However, I wasn’t attacked as Z-category security was provided to me. We defied the fanatics by continuing with the programme which was a success with eminent personalities such as Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar attending.
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Later, in 2007, during the inauguration of my book at the Press Club in Hyderabad, the organisers did not inform the state about my arrival and, consequently, there was no security. That day, a few members of a political party came and vandalised the club, breaking windows and doors and throwing books and chairs at me. Yes, I was scared. They were shouting in Telugu that they would kill me. We were trapped there for almost half an hour.
It has been very difficult for me to rent a house here because most landlords do not like policemen sitting outside their homes. I cannot live anywhere else but in India because of the freedom of expression that exists here which permits me to say what I want.
If I compare the security arrangements in Europe and India, security agents in Europe seem to have more gadgets and equipment on them; there are several devices strapped to their wrists and other parts for communicating better with their counterparts. They are more alert and well-prepared while driving me around in their bullet proof cars. I am not complaining about the security situation in India but I feel the guards here do not have much training.
Initially, I would notice that these guards were pretty lax, sharing details about my whereabouts with strangers. I had to actually tell them not to do so. Now, most of them have become friends or brothers because they are good people and very sympathetic too. Also, over a period of time, you develop a relationship with them.
My dream is to walk around without any police protection; my security will be the people's love and respect... but I don't know if that will be possible in this life.
Taslima Nasreen is an award-winning Bangladeshi writer and feminist. Because of her thoughts and ideas, she has been banned and prevented from returning to her country since 1994.
AS TOLD TO RACHNA TYAGI