Kolkata: Criticising the UPA government and the CPI-M for shifting Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen from one place to another after moving her out of West Bengal, the BJP today said it did not send a good signal to the international community.

"Taslima is being treated like a football. What signal are they sending to the international community?" senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters here.

Stating that the BJP also did not totally agree with Taslima's writings, Naidu claimed that the Centre at the behest of the CPI-M, had moved her out of West Bengal.

"The Centre had given her a visa, then why is she being treated like a football?" he asked.

BJP had yesterday rubbished as meaningless government's assurance that Taslima would continue to get shelter in India and sought to know whether she was free to return to Kolkata.

Taslima, who has been living in India following death threats in Bangladesh after her alleged anti-Islamic writings, has expressed wish to return to Kolkata.

Source : PTI