Top CPM sources said that Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was desperate to work out a compromise formula that would facilitate her return to Kolkata and at the same time soothe frayed tempers of Muslim organizations. “He used both political and literary channels to come to an acceptable compromise,” said a senior member of the party.

Her decision is believed to have been prompted by a “gentle word of advice” from Union External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who had said Tuesday that the author would be sheltered but “guests” should not “hurt our people’s sentiments.” The West Bengal government worked closely with the Centre on this issue, party sources said.

Also, celebrated Bengali author Sunil Gangopadhyay, considered close to both Nasreen and the Chief Minister, is said to have intervened. When contacted today, he said that he had, indeed, suggested to Nasreen that she consider withdrawing a couple of pages from the book. “I welcome that she has agreed to withdraw the pages. There are times when one has to go for a compromise,” he said.

Dwikhandita, written in 2002 — the third in a series of her five “autobiographical novels” — was banned in 2003 but the Calcutta High Court lifted the ban two years later saying there was nothing objectionable in it.

Along with an anonymous piece in CPM-patronised Path Sanket magazine which had “derogatory” references to the Prophet, the book sparked off protests. Said Shibani Mukherjee of People’s Book Society, Nasreen’s publishers: “Taslima has asked for pages 49, 50 and 51 to be removed. We will not recall the existing stock but these pages will be omitted in fresh editions.”

... contd.