Agencies

New Delhi, Nov 29: In the backdrop of controversy over Bangladeshi novelist Taslima Nasreen’s stay in India, the government on Wednesday said she will continue to get shelter here but was expected to refrain from any activity that may hurt sentiments of the people of the country.

Making a statement in the Lok Sabha, external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee said: “Throughout history, India has never refused shelter to those who have come and sought our protection.” He said the “civilisational heritage, which is now government policy, will continue, and India will provide shelter to Nasreen”. Mukherjee, who made the statement amid demands that Nasreen be asked to leave the country, said the “guests” in India are provided protection by the Union and state governments. 

“This policy will also apply in Taslima Nasreen’s case,” the minister said as he noted the issue related to the Bangladeshi author had attracted “considerable public attention” in recent days. At the same time, he pointed out that those who have been granted shelter here have “always undertaken to eschew political activities in India.”