By IANS
Hyderabad : Two days after Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen escaped an attack by leaders of a Muslim political party here, the police have registered a case against her for hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims.
A case under section 153(A) of the Indian Penal Code was registered against Nasreen, said Assistant Commissioner of Police S.K. Shinde. “The case is under investigation.”
Sources said the case was filed at the Punjagutta police station following a complaint by Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) leader and legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi.
Three legislators of MIM and many of its leaders and activists attacked the novelist here at a book release function Thursday. She escaped unhurt but few organisers and journalists, who tried to save her, received minor injuries.
Journalists and organisers of the event who later escorted her to the airport saved Nasreen, who lives in exile in Kolkata following death threats from Muslim extremist groups in Bangladesh.
Three legislators, arrested by the police for rioting, trespass, criminal intimidation and causing hurt, were released on bail the same evening.
Owaisi, who heads the party in the state assembly, has reportedly threatened to kill Nasreen if she visits Hyderabad again.
The Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT), a MIM rival, meanwhile alleged that MIM foiled its (MBT’s) plan to kill Taslima outside the press club.
MIM also came under criticism from some Urdu newspapers for attacking Nasreen with bouquets.
Carrying pictures of MIM legislators hurling bouquets, a newspaper came down heavily on the leaders for allowing her to leave Hyderabad unhurt.
Considered a critic of MIM, the Siasat newspaper lampooned the legislators for their failure to inflict injuries to a woman. The paper suggested that Nasreen could have been killed as the police reached the scene 30 minutes after the attack.
Meanwhile, the police have come under criticism for going soft on MIM and MBT leaders for threatening to kill Nasreen.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner Balwinder Singh said the police had taken note of the threats by MIM and MBT leaders.