Writers support Taslima Nasreen

Ms Nasreen faced death threats in her homeland

A group of Bengali writers, poets and intellectuals have supported a controversial Bangladeshi writer's plea for Indian citizenship.

Taslima Nasreen, who went into self-imposed exile, has repeated her wish to be an Indian citizen.

Conservative Muslims in the 42-year-old author's homeland have condemned a number of her writings as blasphemous.

The doctor-turned-writer left Bangladesh for Sweden in 1994 amid calls for her execution.

She is currently living in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta on a visitor's visa and has said she wants to make the city her home.

No decision

Taslima deserves our support and refuge and she should be given citizenship Mahasweta Devi, writer

Nearly 50 writers, painters and intellectuals of Calcutta have signed a petition supporting Ms Nasreen's bid for Indian citizenship.

"Like us, she is a Bengali, and she only writes in Bengali. She cannot enter Bangladesh, so her only option is to live amongst Bengalis in Calcutta if she has to exist as a writer of some consequence," said writer Shib Narain Ray.

The Indian federal government has still to decide on whether to give the writer Indian citizenship.

"The Indian government should not make a fuss about this. Taslima deserves our support and refuge and she should be given citizenship," said leading writer and social worker Mahasweta Devi.

Ms Nasreen rose to prominence in 1993 after her first book, Shame, ran into problems.

She fled Bangladesh shortly afterwards, following calls for her execution.

Islamic radicals were incensed at comments she is said to have made to an Indian newspaper calling for changes in the Koran to give women more rights. Ms Nasreen denies making the remarks.