Govt issues ultimatum to Taslima

This time it is not the Marxists but the UPA government that has decided that controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen cannot return to her adopted city of Kolkata.

Moreover, Nasreen has been told that if she wants to live in Delhi, she will not be allowed to take part in any public functions.

Speaking exclusively to NDTV's Managing Editor Barkha Dutt, Taslima Nasreen said that the decision had been communicated officially to her by a senior official of the Ministry of External Affairs.

Nasreen also claimed that her security was cited as the reason for the Centre's decision.

The controversial author, who has already withdrawn parts of her writing considered offensive to certain Muslim groups, has been in hiding for the past month.

Breaking down on the telephone, she claimed that she was being made to live under house arrest.

''I appeal to the government to change its mind,'' she said.

Nasreen also asserted that she will leave India if she is refrained from returning to Kolkata.

The author has been in a government safe house since November and has courted trouble over her perceived anti-Islamic writings.

Meanwhile, the CPM, which had sent Taslima off to Jaipur last month, washed its hands off her, saying that this was between Taslima and the government.

''It is between Taslima and the Central government and we have nothing to do with this,'' said Shyamal Chakravarthy, Leader, CPM.

The Congress party too reiterated its earlier stand that no one who is allowed to stay in India can hurt the sentiments of the people

Health Minister In Controversy once again....

The Union Health Minister -- Anbumani Ramadoss -- is once again shrouded in controversy after he unwittingly targetted the people of Bihar by saying that a doctor from Bihar was the sole cause for Britain de-recognising MBBS degrees.

His comment led to widespread protests in Bihar with even doctors joining in the protests and burning effigies of the Union Health Minister. On the flipside, the doctors under the banner of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) are demanding an unconditional apology from the Minister for hurting the sentiments of all people from Bihar living in India and abroad. The organisation has also approached the Indian Medical Coucil and the central IMA asking them to take action against Ramadoss.

On Friday last week, speaking at a meeting of the American Association of Physicians of Indian origin in New Delhi, the Union Health Minister had reportedly said that "a doctor from Bihar was the sole cause for Britain derecognising MBBS degrees".

TIMES NOW, meanwhile, spoke to IMA President, Dr Ajay Kumar, who said he has been in touch with Indian doctors in the UK. Kumar said that Biharis in his field were working well in the UK, substantially contributing to health services and management. He called Ramadoss' statements a reflection of his "narrow mindednes" and bias against Biharis.

In the past for one reason or another the Union Health Minister has managed to stoke the fires of controversy with some unqualified statements, angering people across various forums. However, an explanation from the man himself is awaited to shed light on this particular controversy.

Earlier this month, the Health Minister, embroiled in a controversy over the removal of AIIMS Director P Venugopal charged the Delhi media with bias against him as he was from the ranks of most backward classes. Dr Ramadoss has also attacked opponents of his proposal to make one year rural service compulsory for MBBS degree, saying they are "enemies of villagers, those who oppose the scheme."

BJP slams Ramadoss:

The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has slammed Health Minister, Ambumani Ramadoss for his comments on Bihari Doctors. Rajiv Pratap Rudy the Party's Spokesperson said, "We take strong exception to the insane remark. Such remarks do not go well with the UPA government. The remark should be immediately withdrawn."

Another BJP leader, Shatrughan Sinha said that the Health Minister should undergo medical examination as he is making one ridiculous comment after another.

Ramadoss clarifies

Meanwhile, the man himself -- Ambumani Ramadoss -- has now come out and said that he has utmost respect for Bihar's doctors.

"I respect Indian doctors and especially doctors from Bihar or Uttar Pradesh or Tamil Nadu doesn’t make any difference to me. I respect everybody and I have been categorically saying that which ever international forum I go, I have always maintained that Indian doctors are the best in the world. I definitely respect Bihar doctors, who have contributed to a large extent not only to Bihar, but also India and globally,” he added.