Kolkata: Controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen today (Jan 30, 2004) said that she still hoped to return to her country, but Dhaka was adamant in keeping her out.

"I still hope to go back to Bangladesh but the Government there is not letting me enter my country," Nasreen told reporters on the sidelines of a felicitation given to her by the Legal Aid Forum, a body of practising lawyers and retired judges.

Stating that she had not contacted the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission office in Kolkata to discuss the possibility of her return, she said that none from the mission had contacted her either in this matter.

Muslim fundamentalist groups in Bangladesh have issued a fatwa against her for her 'anti-Islamic' writings.

Asked whether she would meet West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee to discuss her plight, Nasreen replied in the negative saying "I have not sought an appointment with him, but if he calls me, I will meet him".

Earlier, spokesman for the Forum Joydeep Mukherjee said that the body had filed a PIL at the Calcutta High Court against the State Government decision to proscribe her book 'Dwikhandito' (Split into Two).

A resolution earlier adopted by the forum said that through her writings, Nasreen had depicted social atrocities by religious fundamentalists in Bangladesh.

The forum also slammed the West Bengal Government for proscribing 'Dwikhandito' and totally ignoring the threats issued by hard-line Muslim groups against her.