Hyderabad: The attack on Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen has been criticized by moderate Muslims. Taslima was attacked by unruly crowd at Hyderabad Press club on Thursday.

An intellectuals’ group including Irfan Habib and Ali Asghar condemned the incident and demanded the Andhra Pradesh Government to take immediate action against those responsible for it.

Irfan Habib said, “It is because of the immunity that the bigots such as MIM and other such fundamentalist organisations enjoy, that they feel emboldened enough to attack a writer of Taslima's stature who is in fact an honoured guest of this factory,”

The NGO Sahmat that defends artistic freedom and democratic values has demanded an apology from MIM whose MLAs had attacked Taslima.

Shabnam said, “Nasreen has been a target of attack from fundamentalist forces both in India and Bangladesh.

“'Democratic-minded people in the country should join in the condemnation of such attacks and isolate those who preach intolerance and violence.”

Lyricist Javed Akhtar addressing to NDTV said, “The incident was outrageous and shameful. In a civilised society you have a right to oppose anyone and protest against anything.

“Fundamentalists are becoming bolder and bolder and they get away with it.”

There were three MLAs of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen or MIM among those who attacked her. The MLAs were detained after the incident.

The Bangladesh born writer was there for the release of the Telugu version of her book Sokhe at the press club when some 30 activists first raised slogans against her for alleged anti-Muslim remarks and then got rough.

Akbaruddin Owaisi, MIM MLA said, “We are not bothered about our MLA status. We are Muslims first. And its our responsibility to test those who have said anything against Islam in which ever way possible.”

Taslima Nasreen who escaped unhurt, said she was in a state of shock.

“'I believe in democracy. I hope to live safe in this country as a democrat.

“The people who attacked me are a minority. I got support and sympathy from majority of people. I thank them,'' she said while speaking to NDTV.

Another guest, journalist Innaih Narisetti was injured in the attack.

Meanwhile, I&B Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi has condemned the incident.

He said, “It’s a very shameful thing if any person is attacked. We criticize this incident in the strongest of terms.”