United Kingdom: Government Begins Decriminalisation of Defamation

18 October 2009

United Kingdom: Government Begins Decriminalisation of Defamation, Concerns Remain for Northern Ireland

ARTICLE 19, English PEN and Index on Censorship welcome the UK government’s drive to decriminalise defamation. However, we are deeply concerned that the proposed amendments do not abolish the offence of ‘blasphemous libel’ in Northern Ireland.

Led by Secretary of State for Justice Jack Straw MP and Lord Bach, the newly released amendment to the Coroners and Justice Bill will repeal the criminal offences of sedition and seditious libel, defamatory libel, and obscene libel in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

ARTICLE 19, English Pen and Index on Censorship are campaigning for the decriminalisation of defamation and repeal of blasphemy offences in the UK and around the world and strongly welcome the amendments.

Evan Harris MP, an ARTICLE 19 Board Member, who has led the campaign for decriminalisation within the UK legislature, says: “I welcome this repeal which I hope will show the way forward for many other jurisdictions which not only have these unjust and unjustifiable laws, but which actually use them to censor and persecute writers and journalists.”

However the three organisations remain deeply concerned that instead of repealing all criminal offences of libel, the offence of blasphemous libel in Northern Ireland remains.

The historical offence of blasphemous libel is entirely incompatible with democratic ideals. In the past it has been abused to protect religions, religious ideas and religious leaders from legitimate criticism.

“We call on Members of Parliament to introduce further amendments in advance of the 26 October debate on the Bill. They should not deny Northern Ireland full protection for freedom of expression. This ground breaking step will be tainted if such a derogation is permitted.”

Lord Lester, Liberal Democrat Peer and Vice President of English PEN who will table the amendment in the House of Lords, comments: “I welcome the amendments but I hope before the Lords debate, the Government will reconsider their decision to retain the offence of blasphemous libel in Northern Ireland. That would create an arbitrary and divisive outcome threatening free speech and freedom of religion. God no more needs to be protected by criminal law in Northern Ireland than in Great Britain.”

Criminal defamation has not been used in the UK for a number of years, but its “chilling effect” remains. Moreover, states around the world justify their persistent use of criminal defamation according to the example set by the UK.

In many countries, criminal defamation laws are abused by the powerful to limit criticism and to stifle public debate. The threat of harsh criminal sanctions, especially imprisonment, exerts a profound chilling effect on freedom of expression.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• For more information please contact: Oliver Spencer, ARTICLE 19 oliver@article19.org, +44 (0) 7837 833 893, Robert Sharp, English PEN, robert@englishpen.org, +44 (0) 020 7713 0023, Jo Glanville, Index on Censorship, jo@indexoncensorship.org, +44 (0) 20 7278 2313.
• To see more details of defamation and its effects around the world, please see ARTICLE 19’s Global Maps at: www.article19.org/advocacy/defamationmap/map/?dataSet=defamation_legislation
• Index on Censorship is an organisation dedicated to protecting and promoting freedom of speech through its publications, international projects, events, campaigns and website

PEN American Center ; UPCOMING EVENTS. Oct. 09

Monday, October 26:
PEN America 11 Launch Party

Where: Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St., NYC
What time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.

With Paul Auster, Roxana Robinson, and others

Free and open to the public

>> See event details


Thursday, October 29:
Bearing Witness in Chechnya: The Legacy of Natalia Estemirova

Where: Proshansky Auditorium, CUNY Graduate School, 365 Fifth Ave., NYC
What time: 7 p.m.

With Salman Rushdie, Michael Arena, Keith Gessen, Tanya Lokshina, Elena Milashina, and Zarema Mukusheva

Free and open to the public

>> See event details


Monday, November 9:
Breakout: Voices from Inside

Where: WNYC Greene Space, 44 Charlton St., NYC
What time: 7 p.m.

With Mary Gaitskill, Eric Bogosian, John Turturro, Patricia Smith, and others

Tickets: Collaborator: $75/Friend: $50

>> See event details



--------------------------------x--------------------------

ADVOCACY NEWS

Writers Press for Accountability on Torture
Audio, manuscripts, and photos from Reckoning with Torture: Memos and Testimonies from the "War on Terror" are now available online at PEN.org. Listen to Don DeLillo, A.M. Homes, George Saunders, and others read from recently disclosed documents, legal memorandums, and first-hand accounts of government abuse. >> More

More Advocacy News:
• Book Groups Seek Meaningful Reader Privacy Protection in Patriot Act Reauthorization
• PEN Applauds Passage of Congressional Resolution for Liu Xiaobo
• PEN Protests Exclusion From U.S. of German Publisher and PEN Member


UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, October 26:
PEN America 11: Make Believe Launch Party
Celebrate "make believe"—and writers who make us believe in the worlds of their own creation—with PEN America, PEN's award-winning literary journal. Join recent contributors—including Cynthia Cruz, Said Sayrafiezadeh, and Lynne Tillman—to toast our newest issue, Make Believe; Paul Auster and Roxana Robinson will read. >> More

Thursday, October 29:
Bearing Witness in Chechnya: The Legacy of Natalia Estemirova
Salman Rushdie, Keith Gessen, and others will gather for a night of readings and conversations to honor the legacy of Natalia Estemirova—the award-winning human rights activist and journalist murdered on July 15, 2009—while calling attention to issues of freedom of expression in Russia. >> More

Monday, November 9:
Breakout: Voices from Inside
PEN’s Prison Writing Program will host its second annual benefit reading and reception, featuring readings by Mary Gaitskill, Eric Bogosian, John Turturro, and others. This event will be broadcast and live-streamed, allowing incarcerated men and women with radio and/or internet access to listen to the event. >> More


NEW AT PEN.ORG

Sneak Preview: PEN America 11: Make Believe
Alesksandar Hemon, Cynthia Ozick, Lynne Tillman, and others imagine books they wish they (or someone else) had written; Sigrid Nunez invents an orphanage full of “rapture children”; and Rivka Galchen pretends to be Lydia Davis and Peter Altenberg. Plus new fiction from Brian Evenson; poetry by Christian Hawkey, Marie Ponsot, and Liu Xiaobo—and much more.

>> Sneak Preview
>> Online Forum: tell us what you believe about books—or describe a book you wish existed

2009 Brooklyn Book Festival Podcasts
At this year's Brooklyn Book Festival, PEN produced a series of podcast conversations featuring writers interviewing writers, including Sara Khalili, Libba Bray, and Vadim Yarmolinets.

>> Listen to the conversations

Vietnam: Dissident writers sentenced

Published: October 20, 2009

English PEN is outraged by the sentences handed down to nine dissident writers in recent days for 'spreading propaganda' against the government. The sentences range from two to six years. All were first detained in September 2008, and include the well known novelist and journalist Nguyen Xuan Ngia, leader of the banned pro-democracy group Bloc 8406, and editor of the underground democracy journal To Quoc (Fatherland).

Writer Nguyen Xuan Nghia, poet Nguyen Van Tinh, human rights defender Nguyen Kim Nhan, poet Nguyen Van Tuc, student and internet writer Ngo Quynh, and writer Nguyen Manh Son were charged with conducting anti-government propaganda under article 88 of Vietnam's penal code for their pro-democracy writings and activities, in particular their membership of the banned pro-democracy group Bloc 8406. They were convicted to sentences ranging from two to six years following a two-day trial in Hanoi that concluded on 9 October. In 2006, Bloc 8406, a coalition of political parties and organisations campaigning for political reform, created the "Manifesto on Freedom and Democracy in Vietnam". The group's name refers to the date that the manifesto was created. Originally signed by 118 dissidents, the number of signatories grew into the thousands. Most notable is Nguyen Van Ly, a priest and writer arrested in February 2007 and who was sentenced to eight years for his involvement in Bloc 8406.

The six writers sentenced on 9 October 2009 are amongst dozens of activists to have been arrested since September 2008 as part of an ongoing crackdown on peaceful dissent. The group's leader, writer Nguyen Xuan Nghia, received the heaviest sentence. The indictment, dated 3 July 2009, cited fifty-seven pieces written by Nguyen Xuan Nghia from 2007 until his arrest in 2008, including poetry, literature, short stories and articles, which allegedly sought to "insult the Communist Party of Vietnam, distort the situation of the country, slander and disgrace the country's leaders, demand a pluralistic and multiparty system ... and incite and attract other people into the opposition movement."

For further information go to:

Human Rights Watch article

IFEX alerts and reports on freedom of expression in Vietnam
For the BBC's country profile

Please send appeals:

- Expressing alarm at the ongoing crackdown on dissident in Vietnam, in which at least nine writers have been handed down lengthy prison sentences for their peaceful dissident writings and activities;
- Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained for the peaceful exercise of their right to free expression, in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Vietnam is a signatory.

Appeals to be sent to:

President, Socialist Republic of Vietnam
His Excellency Nguyên Minh Triêt
C/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Hanoi
Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Please note that there are no fax numbers available for the Vietnamese authorities, so you may wish to ask the diplomatic representative for Vietnam in your country to forward your appeals. It would also be advantageous to ask your country's diplomatic representatives in Vietnam to intervene in the case.

Vietnamese Embassy, London, United Kingdom

His Excellency Tran Quang Hoan

Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

12 - 14 Victoria Road

W8 5RD

United Kingdom

British Embassy, Hanoi, Vietnam

His Excellency Mr Mark Kent

Central Building
4th floor
31 Hai Ba Trung
Hanoi

Vietnam

behanoi@hn.vnn.vn

Fax: ( 84) (4)3936 0561 (for Embassy in general)

MPs and NGOs call for ban on super-injunctions

Index on Censorship and English PEN today welcomed MPs' robust response in this afternoon's adjournment debate to Carter-Ruck's attempts to gag Parliamentary reporting, and called on them to strengthen the public's right to information by banning the use of so-called 'super-injunctions' except in extreme circumstances.

Jo Glanville, Editor of Index on Censorship, said: 'The widespread use of super-injunctions is a serious threat to media freedom in this country - and to the fabric of open democracy. It is essential that this debate marks the beginning of reform, so that individuals and companies are no longer free to gag the press and prevent information that's clearly in the public interest from coming under scrutiny.'

Jonathan Heawood, Director of English PEN, said: 'The rights of Parliament are the rights of citizens. Unless Parliament is free to debate everything that MPs believe to be important, it can't do its job properly. And unless the public is free to know what Parliament is talking about, we have closed government. Super-injunctions compromise democracy and should be banned, except in extreme circumstances.'

MPs from the three main parties voiced their concerns about super-injunctions and the impact of English libel law on free speech in an adjournment debate called by Evan Harris MP in the wake of the Trafigura affair, in which the law firm Carter-Ruck argued that a 'super-injunction' prevented the media from reporting on a Parliamentary question asked by Paul Farrelly MP. They wrote to the Speaker of the House on 14 October suggesting that the issue might also be out of bounds for Parliament. Carter-Ruck withdrew the injunction in the wake of a global internet campaign.

During the debate, Denis MacShane MP called for the partners of Carter-Ruck to be called to the Bar of the House of Commons to account for their attempts to 'subvert Parliamentary democracy.'

MPs commended the work of Evan Harris, English PEN and Index on Censorship in raising awareness of the failings of English libel law.

Paul Farrelly MP asked for a return from the 'rule of lawyers to the rule of law'.

Peter Bottomley MP asked for all injunctions to be logged openly in order to allow proper parliamentary oversight of the courts.

John Whittingdale MP, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, said how MPs on the Committee had received threatening letters from solicitors. These had been described by the Speaker's Counsel as 'improperly interfering with the work of Parliament'.

David Heath MP asked the government to confirm that the Parliamentary Papers Act 1840, which grants the media the right to report on everything in Parliament, is still in force.

Responding to the debate, Bridget Prentice, Minister for Justice, said: 'It is not possible to fetter Parliament'. She confirmed that the advice given by Carter-Ruck in their letter of 14 October to the Speaker was incorrect. She said: 'we are very concerned that super-injunctions are being used more frequently, especially in libel.' And she confirmed that the Parliamentary Papers Act 1840 was still in force.

Prentice promised further guidelines on the use of super-injunctions and agreed that defamation law 'needs to be tightened up'.

She stated that the government would abolish the antiquated laws of criminal libel, obscene libel and seditious libel in an amendment to the Coroners & Justice Bill in response to pressure by Index on Censorship, Article 19 and English PEN.

Contact

Jonathan Heawood: 07889 071711; jonathan@englishpen.org

Jo Glanville: 07713 020971; jo@indexoncensorship.org

Note to Editors

Index on Censorship and English PEN are publishing their detailed recommendations for libel reform on 10 November. For press tickets, please contact Michael Harris: michael.harris@pbm.org.uk

To view the English PEN/Index on Censorship Briefing paper: Free speech, libel law and super-injunctions, please click here.

London Book Fair

English PEN is pleased to announce The London Book Fair has become a Silver PEN member, joining a select group of publishing companies and organisations whose commitment to the literary community extends far

beyond a list of authors.

As a Silver PEN Partner, The London Book Fair provides a major platform for English PEN to reach a global audience of publishers, agents, booksellers, librarians, journalists and the wider global book industry and to promote the core aims of English PEN. The London Book Fair is very proud of their continued partnership with English PEN - together they launched the English PEN Literary Café in 2008 to provide fair attendees with a programme of author interviews, readings and book signings with a wide range of international authors.

High-profile authors such as Umberto Eco, Azar Nafisi, William Dalrymple, Alaa Al Aswany, Kate Mosse and William Boyd have delighted Literary Café visitors during lively and fascinating interviews that focus on their latest books and writing styles, to issues of freedom of expression, the book industry, literacy and politics.

Alistair Burtenshaw, Group Exhibition Director, The London Book Fair, said: "The London Book Fair has for many years supported the aims and objectives of English PEN in a number of ways. We were delighted that English PEN were able to accept our proposal to work together to create The English PEN Literary Café, which in a very short period of time has become a much loved feature of The London Book Fair and a wonderful forum for authors from across the world to share their views, at the heart of the Fair".

Jonathan Heawood, Director, English PEN, said: "The London Book Fair provides English PEN with a remarkable window to the world. Thanks to the generosity of Alistair Burtenshaw and his team, we have now developed the English PEN Literary Café as the central venue at LBF for literary talks, readings and debates featuring some of the world's great authors. This enables us to build support for English PEN's work promoting literature and the human rights of authors around the world, and to fulfil our charitable objectives at the same time. It's a winning combination."

Truth shall be prevailed

I have posted here a set of e-mails images which , I hope would expose some truth.

What happens inside an Indian PEN Center organization, maybe centers at large world wide are facing the same. This article will prove how much Unity, Solidarity among writers community you can expect. I have been let down by the behaviour of these organizations, though I came forward voluntarily to help and use myself for the cause and principle of Freedom of Expression and Human Rights. I did not expect that big organisations would treat me in such a manner and continue discourage a man like me. Its very unfortunate on going event. I want to draw attention of the people who profess Human Rights and Freedom of Expression.

read also the link given below is connected with this article:
http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/10/have-look-inside-p-e-n-india.html

Click the email images to see them enlarged, the content of the image document also been typed along with the images, if the images do not show than read the same in type written matter. I have posted all the emails in image format to prove as document.

4 th Oct. 2009

The body of the mail below:
Dear Caroline,

I write in response to your email of 15 September, and am sorry for this delay: we have had a very full schedule, including a discussion led by Sampurna, titled 'The Concentric Commitments of the Writer', which drew the large audience present into an intense space of participation, and a wonderful evening with Arundhati Roy four days ago, where we released her new book, *Listening to Grasshoppers: Field Notes on Democracy*, followed by a public conversation between Arundhati and myself and ceaseless questions from the two hundred people present.

As to Albert Ashok's latest email, I am sorry that this deplorable conversation appears to continue unabated. However, what shocks me more is the tone you have adopted towards me in your email. I have made my position abundantly clear before, vis a vis Albert Ashok, and I repeat it in the 5 points I have made below, while also responding to your suggestion that I have contravened the spirit of cooperation and harmony.

1. As you are completely aware, the PEN All-India Centre has its hands full doing all the productive work that it is doing -- and doing it in a collegial, collaborative, receptive spirit. As against this, we have in Albert Ashok a man who is not a member of the PEN All-India Centre; who has never been able to prove that he represents the organisation in whose name he speaks; who never communicates with us except to send in his latest complaint of neglect; and who importunes you with accusations against us.

2. In this context -- and before you commit yourself to any further well-meant advocacy on this man's behalf -- I would like you to take note of a particularly shocking and intemperate attack, ad hominem (or ad feminem?), on Taslima Nasreen, put out by Albert Ashok on his blog under the titles, 'The wrong Number of Feminism' and 'Beware of Taslima she can bite you back!' (idiosyncratic capitals and punctuation in original). Please look this up at http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/08/wrong-number-of-feminism.html.

Please read this before you extend your support to someone who does not deserve it, under the mistaken assumption that this is in the spirit of fair play and let's have some proper cricket please, gentlemen.

The tone and content of Albert Ashok's attacks on a fellow writer are simply not acceptable to the PEN All-India Centre. They contravene the spirit of International PEN, and I cannot allow our hard-won reputation to be tarnished by association with anyone writing in this vein.

3. Let me make it clear that I am not constrained to admit Albert Ashok's claims to represent the PEN All-India Centre's West Bengal Branch until I have seen actual documentary proof to this effect. Unlike Albert, I am not in the habit of basing my actions on vague suggestions and unverifiable claims. Should he prove that he actually has a definite and verifiable connection with PEN, and should he indicate his willingness to engage in reasonable discourse, we would be happy to communicate with him. Until Albeert Ashok can offer such proof, there is no ground for communication and no crisis to resolve -- the need for communication only reflects his need for attention, and the crisis is one that he has generated out of thin air.

4. Please also note that I have, in a previous email to Albert Ashok -- copied to you and now posted by him on his blog (please look this up at http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html) -- clearly said that we would be happy for him to establish his own separate PEN Centre in West Bengal, so long as he does so on his own merit, and not by maligning actual members of the PEN in Bombay, who have been working hard and voluntarily, without any desire for personal recognition or financial recompense and often subsidising PEN activities, to sustain the PEN's work in India.

5. Unfortunately, unlike Albert Ashok, I am completely incapable of demanding attention or sympathy as though this were my birthright.

Even so, Caroline, I would like to register my deep sense of hurt and distress at the manner in which you have equated the PEN All-India Centre, whose commitment to the PEN Charter and whose many achievements are evident and publicly recorded, with a man whose main achievement has been to make repeated false accusations about us in the public domain through his blog -- an act that, as he should know, could invite legal action.

With best wishes,
Ranjit
------

--- On Tue, 15/9/09, Caroline McCormick wrote:

> From: Caroline McCormick
> Subject: FW: membership from India
> To: albertashok@yahoo.com, ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk, "Sampurna Chattarji"
> Date: Tuesday, 15 September, 2009, 1:38 PM


Truth should prevail and its should be held high above all


On last 4 October, Ranjit Hoskote, secretary of All India PEN Center sent a mail to Caroline McCormick, The executive Director of International PEN and me. He addressed it to Caroline, not me. He wants to threaten me, intimidate me. Why? Because, I want to become a PEN Member. And he would not let us ( writers community in West Bengal) be so. It started as evidence from 29 June 2007. Read the whole story. Here, I have posted all the emails that are the parts of the story. Atleast you will find some characters.

I have posted his (Ranjit Hoskote’s) email here ( above) for the readers ( I expect all members of International PEN and it’s Centers world wide would read, and send me and concerned people their views. This is an intentional suppression and harassment towards the writers community in West Bengal) I hope International community will take this matter seriously and find the people who has ill intention behind this. I fear such things could exist in other centers. It should be stopped.

Many years ago, when I had heard for first time the name of International PEN from late Mr. Dev Kr. Basu, and from daily news paper in the late eighties, I became so much inspired and felt to work with International PEN. because its charter and principles what Mr. Dev. Kr. Basu told me and what I had learnt about it from different writers inspired me to join this world organisation of writers. On then I was resourceless person and unemployed man.

Years later, I explored that the practicing PEN of West Bengal Chapter has its main center in Mumbai, where the head Office is, presided by Mr. Annada Shankar Roy, a famous writer in India, whose health was not so good on then living in Kolkata. Mr Dev Kr. Basu told us that Mumbai center has stopped communicating us, but never thought they want to erase West Bengal chapter from the center. This ill intention never been dreamt by any in West Bengal. Mr Dev kr. Basu also never thought it before nor the president of all India PEN center, Mr. Annada Shankar Roy, who lived in Bengal in Kolkata. Mr Annada Shankar Roy used to attend most literary functions, seminars held by PEN West Bengal Chapter. I have seen prominent writers from neighbouring country Bangladesh also used to come at the house of Mr. Annada Shankar Roy, todays most writers used to feel the matter of pride when they could have the chance to read their own poem in our seminars or functions conducted by PEN West Bengal Chapter, with a banner 'PEN West Bengal', and in Mr. Annada Shankar Roy's gracious presence. We used to have us photographed of these such events. Bangla Acdemy is the heart of writers in Bengal, run by state government, has its register book and records that how many tens years it has witnessed PEN West Bengal held functions at this hall.

We knew with us Mr Annada Shankar Roy we are representing International PEN in India.
On behalf of PEN West Bengal Mr Dev. Kr. Basu, on then the Secretary and Hon. Treasurer ( he held this position till his last demise) had sent mails by postal department. he was fed up having no reply from Mumbai.One day I came to know that International PEN has websites, I searched and found, I came to know many things from the website. I told Mr. Dev Kr. Basu about many things that West Bengal PEN chapter did not know. He suggested me to make a contact. but how? It took a long time.

Due to lack of proper communication and contact for more than a decade we were gathering misconception about International PEN.
Many people knew in Kolkata-- West Bengal that 'International PEN ' started in 1905 at stalkholm in Sweden. and from 1929 Indian PEN starts....and a lot wrong information..( see articles by Adhir Ghatak published in Darshak vol. 45 -Aug Sept. 2004, and in daily news paper Pratidin).
People used to argue with me as I am younger than them. they thought I did not know much. Any way I have fought for last few years, finally people started to rely on my campaign.

Even Mr Dev Kr. Basu also believed and told us the wrong information. I had to fight hard against this wrong information to set it correctly. I printed materials from International PEN websites and had to distribute among writers and people interested in PEN by my hard earned money.

As Mr. Annada Shankar Roy was aged, sick and busy we were restricted to visit him personally, and I think he did not know about the misconception and wrong ideas within members of West Bengal PEN chapter. Anyway Dev Kr. Basu became a synonym of PEN West Bengal Chapter. He had a close homely relation with Mr. Annada Shankar Roy too. Mr Annada Shankar Roy died at the age 99, 28 oct. 2002.

I am very fortunate I have been photographed with him flanked by many literary prominent personalities several times and I have 3 photos in my possession.

Mr Dev Kr. Basu had tremendous affection on me, he loved me, but I am sorry I could not make a contact with International PEN in his life time, how he badly wished to communicate with people in International PEN.

After Mr Dev Kr. Basu (24th Feb 2007), as his successor, Dr. Jagannath Ghosh took the rein of West Bengal PEN Chapter. He also affectionately loved me a lot. He saw me establish a connection with International PEN. He inspired me to become a Lifetime Member of West Bengal PEN and He was happy and given me a responsibilty to create a direct connection with International PEN , as Mumbai Center deliberately used to ignore us. ITS VERY MUCH SHOCKING!

My first letter to International PEN 29 June 2007.

But sad to tell Dr. Jagannath Ghosh died 10th May 2009, within a short time. but I took this challenge regardless my success and failure I would keep a communication with international PEN community and try to create a New independent Indian PEN Center in West Bengal, lead ours independently, we shall not bother the people in Mumbai who do not like writers in West Bengal the Maharastrian politicians.

I also want to inform all writers in Mumbai about this behaviour from PEN Mumbai center we are facing. I believe good people exist everywhere.

I donot know Mr. Ranjit Hoskote eye to eye. as I never been infront of him, I came to know him through international PEN. so, I express no enmity with him rather I see him a fellow writer and a colleague in International writers association. We can exchange pleasantries not hatred. We are writers, we hold high the charter of International PEN and ideals , principles of Human Rights.

Now lets read the emails below. The email documents will unfold the mask of a liar and information in folds.

It starts here


From my inbox and sent folder the following mails in 2007 speak :

1) 29 June 2007 I started first the conversation with International PEN on 29 june 2007 :

From: pen kolkata [mailto:penkolkata@yahoo.co.in]
Sent: 29 June 2007 12:28

To: Caroline McCormick; Frank Geary; Karen Efford; Cerian Eiles
Subject: Membership from India
Sir,
We want to become members of International P E N .We are In Kolkata,WestBengal State,we tried to contact mumbai Maharastra ( indian part of International PEN, for long 10 years, I Think That organization is not working. So We beg ypur help,How we can become members of International Pen
I look forward to you .Thank you
Albert Ashok
Pen Kolkata
---------------------------------------------
2) 29 th June 2007
The reply came from Caroline McCormick, Executive director International PEN, U.K. :

To: "pen kolkata" , "Frank Geary" , "Karen Efford" , "Cerian Eiles"

Dear Friends,
Many thanks for your message.
The only way to join International PEN is to join one of its Centres. I have passed your message onto Indian PEN and they will be in touch with you.
All best wishes,
Caroline

Caroline McCormick
Executive Director
International PEN
Brownlow House
50 / 51 High Holborn
LONDON WC1V 6ER
Tel: 02074050338
Fax: 02074050339
----------------------------------------
3) 16th July 2007

I wrote 14th july 07:

To: Caroline McCormick
Subject: RE: Membership from India

dear madam ,
with due respect, can you send us the addresses of indian pen center or what we should do if we want to open a center in kolkata?
I look forward to hear from you,Thank you
Kind regards
Albert Ashok
Dumdum kolkata 28

Reply:

RE: Membership from India
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2007 11:30:27 +0100
From: "Caroline McCormick" To: "pen kolkata"

Dear Sir,

I have heard from Indian PEN and understand that there is something of a delay as the demand for membership is very high at present.
You will find all contact details on the website of International PEN including this email address:
ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk
Best wishes,
Caroline
Caroline McCormick
Executive Director


------------------------------------------------
4) 17 th July 2007

First mail from Ranjit Hoskote, the secretary of All-India PEN Center wrote me as he was been directed by Executive director of International PEN.
The mail says Ranjit is quite unaware of the presence of West Bengal PEN chapter, I wonder how he became a secretary if his duty he does not know.


Mon, 16 Jul 2007 23:28:23 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Ranjit Hoskote"
Subject: Re: FW: Membership from India
To: penkolkata@yahoo.co.in
CC: "Caroline McCormick" , india.pen@gmail.com

Dear Albert Ashok,
Caroline McCormick of International PEN has forwarded us your recent emails -- we would be happy to initiate a dialogue with you on the subject of membership of
the PEN All-India Centre (I will add your email address to our e-mailing list in any case, to keep you updated on our events: we hold an average of two readings/ lectures/ discussions a month; sometimes three or even four).
Please write to me with the following details about your group, and we can take the dialogue forward:

1. When was your group founded?
2. How many members do you have?
3. What is the periodicity of your meetings?
4. Do you already have an administrative structure; or
have you preserved a refreshing informality?
5. Do you have a journal, or any other publication?
6. We would be very interested in the profile of your
members -- are they young writers, published authors,
literary activists?
Details of this nature would help us enormously to
help you.

With best regards, Ranjit Hoskote
--------------
Ranjit Hoskote
Hon. Secretary-Treasurer
The PEN All-India Centre
Theosophy Hall
40 New Marine Lines
Bombay 400 020

Below Caroline's request to Ranjit Hoskote:
--- Caroline McCormick
executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk> wrote:

Dear Ranjit, Another request from the group whom I emailed you about a few weeks ago - could you possibly drop them a line please?
Many thanks and best wishes,
Caroline
Caroline McCormick
Executive Director
International PEN
-----------------------------------
5) 19 July 2007


I wrote back to Ranjit:

pen kolkata wrote to Ranjit Hoskote:

dear sir,
I am happy that I have got your answer after trying a few years. Annada shankar Munsi was our president, Now Sunil gangopadhaya, I shall get back to you very soon , I have to talk with our seniors, It may take a week or two
Thankl you

Kind regards
Albert

When I could have established a dialogue with Ranjit I was happy and I carried forward the message to my seniors. here he admits about the existence of West Bengal PEN Chapter, and Mr . Annada Shankar Roy the president of All India PEN Center

And Mumbai center answered:


Thu, 19 Jul 2007 08:46:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Ranjit Hoskote" Yahoo! DomainKeys has confirmed that this message was sent by yahoo.co.uk.
Subject: Re: FW: Membership from India
To: "pen kolkata"

Dear Albert,

I am very glad that you have established a line of communication with us. I have to say that -- to the best of my knowledge; it is possible that some papers are missing -- we have not found any previous communication from you.
And tell me, have you had no contact, in all these years, with the West Bengal Branch of the PEN All-India Centre? Our President, Annada Sankar Ray, used to preside over its periodic meetings; but he passed away some years ago, at a very advanced age, and we have subsequently had no communication from the West Bengal Branch either.

Do write again with more details, and let us take this forward. And please convey my warm personal regards to Sunil-da.

With very best wishes,
Ranjit
-----------------------------------------
6) 31st July 2007
I wrote again but no reply came and Ranjit Hoskote has stopped to communicate, I sent several mails but no reply.

To
ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk, executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk, india.pen@gmail.com, ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk

Dear sir / madam,

I have received your letter. Thank you for your response. A summary of our organization, I am stating below. I have discussed to our executive body, Our (secretary and treasurer ) beloved Debuda is nomore , so at present, specifically, with exact date, I am unable to give you, but best information from our meeting as follows-

The History of Indian P E N ( West Bengal Part), so far I know, started by Manindralal Basu, a novelist, in Kolkata ( by then Calcutta) around 1930, (IF I am not wrong ,As soon as Sophy wadia started it in India , we have not found the papers my earlier assumption was wrong, ) First president was Rabindranath Tagore ( all India center) and founder in India was Sophia Wadia, From then on we are active , we had seen Annada Shankar Roy all India president,vice President Professor N S gorekar, secretary treasurer Nissim Ezikiel, West Bengal Branch secretary was Dev Kumar Basu. We had then ( somehow regardless the distance from Calcutta to Mumbai almost 2000 kilometer) well built communication with Mumbai part Indian PEN. Sometime before Nissim Ezekiel ‘s death the communication of Pen activities about West Bengal branch (on then it was called west Bengal branch Indian P E N ) and reportings deteriorated, we were sending via postal mail as used to send before, but from Mumbai ( Bombay) part communication came to a halt.
We continued our meetings , every Wednesday , members and non members crowds about 60 to hundred , we have special meetings on average two or more than two, mostly at Bangla Academy, and other districts, we attend also at different organization, many organization invite us as PEN.
I think in activities ours organization is bigger in all respects, our members ( active)
52 and we have an administrative structure too. One chairman, 5 vice chairman, one secretary 2 jt. assistant secretary treasure and other active members with categorically responsibilities.
After Dev Kumar Basu’s sad demise our new secretary been elected Jagannath Ghosh
And years ago when all Indian President Annada Shankar Roy , who was chaiman of west Bengal branch , died Famous writer Sunil gangopadhya became our president.For long we have not heard from Mumbai Indian Pen center .

We are eager to make our center Kolkata an independent Indian PEN center. India is big Country, and ours organization is bigger in all respects and we have official documents for long since its foundation about 45 yeas or so. The P E N in Bangladesh also know us about our activities.

Our members are published authors and most of them are professional.
Hereby I , on behalf of West Bengal Part of Indian P E N . humbly request to the executive commity of International P E N to grant us an independent Indian Pen center.
Our organization is big , very much active and oldest. We deserve it. The neighbouring states ( Bihar, Orrissa and Tripura ) also joined us.
I look forward to hear from you,
Thanking all of you
Best regards
Albert Ashok
West Bengal P E N
9/3 Tamer Lane. Kolkata 700009

The same matter sent on 26 july 07 to

executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk, india.pen@gmail.com, ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk
frank.geary@internationalpen.org.uk, karen.efford@internationalpen.org.uk, cerian.eiles@internationalpen.org.uk
--------------------------------------
7) 6 th Aug 2007
I was disappointed and continue to mail several people involve in PEN

Monday, 6 August, 2007 12:38 AM
From:
"pen kolkata"
To:
"Ranjit Hoskote" , executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk, faridah@dhaka.net, frank.geary@internationalpen.org.uk, india.pen@gmail.com, karen.efford@internationalpen.org.uk

Dear sir / madam,
Regarding membership, we did not hear from you since my last letter.
I hope very soon we shall have a reply from you regarding granting another international P.E.N. center in kolkata
thanking all of you
Albert Ashok
tamer lane Kolkata
-------------------------------------------------------------
From my inbox and sent folder the following mails in 2008 speak :

1) 27 th April 2008Sunday, 27 April, 2008 11:40 PM
From:
"pen kolkata"
Add sender to Contacts
To:
ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk, india.pen@gmail.com, executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk
Dear Sir / Madam,

I have started a web blog on behalf of the PEN (West Bengal),
http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/
It is my request please, have a look , and send your views ,I want to post our activities and news (The PEN West Bengal) here, and we shall be happy if you keep us in touch and let know your programmes (The PEN ,Mumbai).

Thank you
Albert Ashok

my mail fell on deaf ear.
----------------------------------
2) 3rd May 2008
My First Contact with Ms. Taslima Nasreen:

2008/5/3 pen kolkata :

To
Ms. Taslima Nasrin

We have got this address from the websita of 'International PEN' we want to keep contact with you. If You have any message you can send it here.
thank you.

All the best
Albert Ashok
Member PEN west Bengal

Taslima responded:

i did not know there was a PEN in west bengal. did you do anything when the west bengal government threw a writer out of the state?

--------------------------------------
3) 4 th May 2008
Again I wrote to Taslima But no reply

Sunday, 4 May, 2008 7:27 PM
From: "pen kolkata"
To: "Taslima Nasrin"
Cc: executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk


You may not know,because you never looked for it. West Bengal PEN is very active in promotional work of literature, it was led by Late Deb Kr Basu, President Late Annada Shankar Roy, after Annada Shankar our beloved writer Sunil Gangopadhay is our president. Since Rabindra nath Tagore our past and first president PEN westbengal is in promotion of literature. very recently we are using electronic medium for correspondence.

I can not answer your question, but we assure you We follow the ideals of International PEN. And we act according our strength. at present our living members are about 60. and Bangla Akademy (register book) may tell how active we are! and PEN bangladesh also know our existance.

Thank you for your quick response, i hope we shall try our best to support you.
---------------------------------
4) 4 th May 2008
The same day I wrote to Ranjit Hoskote too

Sunday, 4 May, 2008 7:33 PM
From: "pen kolkata"
To: "Ranjit Hoskote" , india.pen@gmail.com
Cc: executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk

Dear Ranjit,
I had sent emails a few days ago , but I got no response from you. I hope you will mail me soon.
I wish we can exchange our views about all-india PEN activities, All India PEN does not mean only a few members in Mumbai. West Bengal Also plays a big role in promotional activities on literature and ideals of PEN. We can spread this organization in other states also.
I hope you will let us know all PEN events in future, and after the events a report with photos, so that I can post all activities including ours on my web blog http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/ .And any thing you want to know you can email me , all we want is understanding, joining and sharing by each other ( Mumbai and Kolkata)

I wish ( this is completely my view) to elect Sunil Gangopadhay as president of All-India PEN Centre. He is our president since Annada shankar Roy passed away. And he is now elected president of the Sahitya Akademi (India Govt.).Think about my proposal, If you support me I may take a motion in our next meeting.

I have heard little about you and your works, But please let us know about Dr. Dauji Gupta president of all India PEN.
I wish through your mail we can know all necessary information about Mumbai All-India PEN center. I look forward to hearing from you Thank you

With best compliments
Albert Ashok http://collectpainting.blogspot.com
I am a poet, 8 books of poetry have been published seven in Bengali and one in English,
-----------------------------------
5) 3 rd June 2008
I wrote Taslima wishing her best as I was very careful about Taslima Nasreen.

best wishes from albert Ashok , Kolkata
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 8:34 PM
From:
"aibert ashok"
View contact details
To:
taslima.nasrin@gmail.com



dear taslima,
how are You? hope you are fine.
staying away from motherland is very painful to me , i try to realise and think about you. can i do something for you ( if things are possible at all)
i would feel happy if i could do something for you.
I had seen a community in ORKUT after you name , do you know or is it yours. I felt happy that people in bengal support you, do you have any account in ORKUT?


If you feel easy and comfort with me you may keep in touch
Thank you
All best wishes
Albert

--------------------------------------
6) 7 th June 2008
A mail to International PEN : our activities have been included in news letter of International PEN. And we were happy with International PEN

We are glad that our activities have been included in the new letter of international P E N
Saturday, 7 June, 2008 10:41 AM
From:
"pen kolkata"
Add sender to Contacts
To:
pisubscribers@internationalpen.org.uk, sara.whyatt@internationalpen.org.uk, emily.bromfield@internationalpen.org.uk, info@internationalpen.org.uk, cerian.eiles@internationalpen.org.uk, executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk, india.pen@gmail.com, karen.efford@internationalpen.org.uk, nabaneeta@nabaneetadevsen.com, ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk, sampurna_c@yahoo.co.uk, taslima.nasrin@gmail.com



To
Caroline McCormick
Executive Director
International PEN
Brownlow House
50 / 51 High Holborn
LONDON WC1V 6ER

Dear Caroline,

Thank you and others who are working for international PEN,
We are glad that our activities have been included in the new letter of international P E N, We shall be more happy if we are in touch with International P E N through activities,guidance and ideals. please, if possible visit our blogs off and on.
Your news letter Is been also posted in our blogs, pls. have a look and we expect all of yours comment. http://newsfreedomofexpression.blogspot.com/
We shall report on our present and local activities and about our coming projects in promotional literature very soon.
Thank you.

All the best
Albert Ashok
165, R N Guha Road, Kolkata 700028. West Bengal, India
Phone +9133 2560 0070
----------------------------------------
7) 9 July 2008
I felt I had been encouraged so some of our own local problem i took to Caroline :


To Caroline for her opinion in our local problem
Wednesday, 9 July, 2008 7:43 AM
From: "pen kolkata"
To: executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk

Dear Caroline,
I want to share a problem with you regarding our organization, if you wish you can share your suggestion with us.
1. a problem we are facing for long time that all India PEN Center mumbai part, never response our mail . I tried to contact with them in many occasions but they very coolly maintain silence, they, I think either not putting importance, or they have no time at all for PEN!
2. we have, in west Bengal ,about 60 life members, all are mostly retired form their own job and spending time with writings, very few numbers are young energetic /enthusiastic members , Most members joined at the time of our late secretary Mr. Deb Kr. Basu. Mr deb kr basu, did not know about the charter of PEN that we defend FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, and most members did not know about the Charter of International PEN, They became member as a writing club. But in time of discussion, about rules of PEN, people still argue with me, and become furious, As Most members are elderly person I keep silence as I put respect on them according our traditional custom. That is why when Indias renowned painter M F Hussain had painted some objectionable painting on then Mr Deb Kr basu collected signs against him and campaigned, when Taslima Nasreen had worst time in kolkata, we could not Help much and stand beside her. There are more such incidents and I find I am helpless going against more people in our organization. And as I am young man in our organization the older members love me and advice me to keep quiet about PEN Charter.
Please share your view with me.
Professionally I am a Painter and Poet I have 8 books of poetry in my credit and about a hundred books on drawing and paintings I have authored which are used by art students. I am also a founder secretary of an artist and writer ‘s organization (est.2002) my organization defend freedom of expression and human rights you can read them in the following weblogs,


http://rainbowartistsandwritersfoundation.blogspot.com/
http://newsfreedomofexpression.blogspot.com/
http://freenewsfreespeech.blogspot.com/

please if you have time have alook
I hope I shall hear from you very soon. Thank you.
Best regards
Albert Ashok ( member, campaign executive)

But I did not have any answer in return
--------------------------------------
8) 9 th July 2008
In my blog I publish any material relating PEN so in the beginning I had taken permission from authority:

From: pen kolkata [mailto:penkolkata@yahoo.co.in]
Sent: 09 July 2008 03:11
To: Mitchell Albert ; Emily Bromfield ; Caroline McCormick
Subject: your permission West Bengal PEN India

Dear Sir/Madam, I have down loaded your ‘PEN INTERNATIONAL Volume 58, No. 1, Spring 2008’ the magazine for our reading, can I republish it in my blog or any manner for free distribution , I have noticed a price is mentioned on the cover, so I need your permission. By the by we are not making any business or trade benefit out of it. Thank you. We are looking forward to hear from you soon. Best regards Albert Ashok ( member, campaign executive) All India PEN center, (west Bengal) 165, R N Guha Road Kolkata –700028, India . Phone +9133 2560 0070

Reply:
RE: your permission West Bengal PEN IndiaWednesday, 9 July, 2008 7:51 PM
From: "Emily Bromfield" Emily.Bromfield@internationalpen.org.uk

To: penkolkata@yahoo.co.inCc: "Mitchell Albert" , "Caroline McCormick" executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk

Dear Albert Ashok,
Many thanks for your email and interest in the magazine. It is always good for us to know that PEN Centres and members are accessing our website and reading the magazine!
We would be more than happy for you to add the pdf of the magazine to your blog. However if you would be so kind to ensure it remains within its format as opposed to cutting and pasting text into the blog we would be grateful. Either this or you could direct people to the International PEN website for them to download it. Does this make sense and sound agreeable to you?
I hope this email finds you well.
Best wishes,
Emily

Emily Bromfield
Communications Director
International PEN

---------------------------------------

9) 11th July 2008
I wrote back to Emily
Thanks from west bengal

Thanks from West Bengal PEN India
Friday, 11 July, 2008 12:09 PM
From: "pen kolkata"
To: "Emily Bromfield"

Dear Emily,
I shall follow your instruction as it is. thank you for your kind permission.
we show and maintain a harmony with 'International PEN', always

Thank you all once again

Best regards
Albert Ashok ( member, campaign executive)

12 July 2008
From: pen kolkata [mailto:penkolkata@yahoo.co.in]
Sent: 12 July 2008 19:48
To: Emily Bromfield; Caroline McCormick; india.pen@gmail.com; ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk; sampurna_c@yahoo.co.uk; Sara Whyatt; taslima.nasrin@gmail.com; pen@pen.org
Subject: RE: your permission West Bengal PEN India


Dear Sir/Madam

I have re-posted ----- ‘DEFAMATION AND ‘INSULT ’ : WRITERS REACT
A report from International PEN’s Writers in Prison Committee
Insult Laws in the European Union A SILENT THREAT October 2007’ and PEN ‘International Magazine’ in our blog, Please have a look at

http://freenewsfreespeech.blogspot.com/ http://www.penwestbengal.blogspot.com/

if any thing goes wrong please, let me know, so that I can correct
We need all of your cooperation.. Thank you. We are looking forward to hear from you soon.

Best regards
Albert Ashok ( member, campaign executive)



------------------------------------------------
10) 13 July 2008
Again I took care of Taslima Nasreen:
Your recent news posted in our blog
Sunday, 13 July, 2008 12:27 AM
From: "pen kolkata"

To: taslima.nasrin@gmail.com


dear Taslima,
How are You! I hope you are doing fine.
We have posted your recent news in our blog please check it and if anything you have to say you can tell it to us . feel free !
Stay well.
thank you
for your news click it http://freenewsfreespeech.blogspot.com/
http://www.penwestbengal.blogspot.com/

Best regards
Albert Ashok ( member, campaign executive)
-------------------------------
11) 14th July 2008
RE: your permission West Bengal PEN India
Monday, 14 July, 2008 7:40 PM
From: "pen kolkata"

To: "Sara Whyatt"

Dear Sara Whyatt,

I am happy to receive your mail and felt encouraging by your nice word.
As you know I am a Member of All-India PEN Center, I feel honoured when i am assigned to any PEN job. I believe The ideals of International PEN, and believe also universal Human Rights.So you are welcome to guide and advice me for PEN. I am ready also to work for your prison committee.
Thank you for your kind offer and assistance.

Best wishes
Albert Ashok

Albert Ashok ( member, campaign executive)
All India PEN center, (west Bengal)



--- On Mon, 14/7/08, Sara Whyatt wrote:
From: Sara Whyatt
Subject: RE: your permission West Bengal PEN India
To: penkolkata@yahoo.co.in
Date: Monday, 14 July, 2008, 4:25 PM
Dear Albert Ashok,

Thank you so much for putting the paper on insult laws in Europe on your website. What a fantastic site and so good to have our work brought into new communities. Do let me know if you are interested in other material from PEN's Writers in Prison Committee and I will do what I can to assist.

With very best regards,

Sara Whyatt
Programme Director
Writers in Prison Committee
International PEN
Brownlow House
50/51 High Holborn London WC1V 6ER UK
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7405 0338
Fax: + ff (0) 20 7405 0339
Email: sara.whyatt@internationalpen.org.uk

---------------------------------
12) 30 th July 2008
In my life I wanted to work with international PEN. A reflection is given below :

From: Emily Bromfield
Subject: RE: from albert ashok, all India PEN center, review
To: penkolkata@yahoo.co.in
Date: Wednesday, 30 July, 2008, 3:18 PM
Dear Albert Ashok,
Many thanks for your emails. I hope that either Caroline or Sara responded about your correspondence below.
I wanted to email you to suggest that we include the blog address on the All India PEN Centre page on the International PEN website? Would you be happy for me to add this?
I very much look forward to hearing from you.
With all best wishes,
Emily
Emily Bromfield Communications Director


From: pen kolkata [mailto:penkolkata@yahoo.co.in]
Sent: 15 July 2008 16:12
To: Sara Whyatt; Emily Bromfield; Caroline McCormick
Subject: from albert ashok, all India PEN center, review

To
International PEN , UK
Dear Sir/ Madam,

i have posted another matter ' DEFAMATION
AND ‘INSULT ’ :
WRITERS REACT
A report from International PEN’s Writers in Prison Committee ' in my blog with a quotationfrom the cover of the PDF matter. Please check it.

Thank You
Best regards
Albert Ashok ( member, campaign executive)
All India PEN center, (west Bengal )
165, R N Guha Road Kolkata –700028, India .
Phone +9133 2560 0070
------------------------------
13) 25 Sept 2008
After a long time Ranjit's mail Again, and take note what he wants to say:

Re: Please check a new post at http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/
Thursday, 25 September, 2008 3:57 PM
From: "Ranjit Hoskote"
To: emily.bromfield@internationalpen.org.uk, executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk, faridah@dhaka.net, india.pen@gmail.com, info@internationalpen.org.uk, karen.efford@internationalpen.org.uk, mitchell.albert@internationalpen.org.uk, nabaneeta@nabaneetadevsen.com, pen@pen.org, pisubscribers@internationalpen.org.uk, sampurna_c@yahoo.co.uk, sara.whyatt@internationalpen.org.uk, tamsin.mitchell@internationalpen.org.uk, penkolkata@yahoo.co.in... more

Dear Albert Ashok,

Thank you for your email and for the link to your post. Since you have copied your mail to a wide array of recipients, I have addressed this response to them as well -- and apologise to those on the list who might quite justifiably regard this exchange as unsolicited mail.

We at the PEN All-India Centre, located in Bombay, have recently begun to sort through our large collection of files -- including records, correspondence, and PEN All-India Centre annual conference proceedings -- which date back to the early 1930s. An American researcher, who is working towards a PhD in the area of late-colonial Indian history, has offered us invaluable support in this endeavour. She regards our material as vital and even impressive: an opinion that vindicates the constancy with which we have held on to our files through the vagaries of shifting, lack of financial support, and other difficulties.

With some luck, time and support, we should soon be able to organise them into a proper and coherent archive -- this would go a long way towards addressing the lacunae that you have indicated in your post.

While many of the details that you have put together in your post are common knowledge to PEN members in Bombay, Lucknow, Chennai and elsewhere, I can well imagine how you must feel to be so cut away from this lineage in the West Bengal Branch. I also sympathise with the fact that you have suffered because of a problem of transmission between generations, and perhaps you were not as fortunate as us in Bombay, who have had the privilege of inheriting a clear succession from Madame Sophia Wadia through Nissim Ezekiel and Ramesh Sirkar.

At the same time, I would most collegially request you to avoid a persistent solipsism in your account of your situation -- in your post, and on previous occasions, you have resorted to the suggestion that, since you did not hear from the PEN All-India Centre in Bombay for many years, it is somehow defunct or non-existent. Unfortunately for your line of argument, the PEN All-India Centre is not only alive and well, but has been flourishing. It has rebuilt a network of contacts, exchanges and discussions across India, while also opening up a range of conversations with colleagues and institutions internationally. Given the difficulties that we faced in the late 1990s and the early years of the 21st century, this has been a demanding and onerous, but ultimately productive task.

Since this matter has arisen before, let me re-state my position on it clearly: If you wish to establish your own separate PEN Centre in West Bengal, please do so by all means, and good luck to you.

However, I will add a note of caution that I have refrained from sounding before, despite your repeated provocations: Please establish your Centre on your own merit, and not by trying to discredit the activities of a flourishing literary community in another part of the country, and of individuals who put in an enormous amount of work on a completely voluntary basis to sustain it.


With very best wishes,
Ranjit Hoskote

Secretary-Treasurer
The PEN All-India Centre
------------------------------------------
14) 25 sept 2008
He sent another mail on the same matter same day 25 sept 08

Dear Colleagues,

A brief post-script to my previous email; and once again, my apologies to those on this list who might regard exchanges on this topic as intrusions into their e-space.

This is just to set the record straight, since I am offended by Albert Ashok's claim (one he has made before) that the PEN All-India Centre did not respond to his letters and emails, until one was forwarded to us by International PEN.

I have just gone back over my correspondence, and find the very first reference to Albert Ashok in an email from Caroline McCormick, dated 1 July 2007 and forwarding an email written to her by him (in which, of course, he claims to have written to us over a ten-year period with no response). Since this was the first time we were hearing of him and his group, we were naturally interested to know more, and wrote to him at once.

With best wishes,
Ranjit Hoskote

you have read earlier his Two mails in the beginning, his words do not match and contradicts himself, check it once again. It seems he loves to display lame excuses!
-------------------------------------------
15) 25 Sept 2008
I wrote to all:

On Thu, 25/9/08, pen kolkata wrote:

From: pen kolkata
Subject: Please check a new post at http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/


To: emily.bromfield@internationalpen.org.uk, executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk, faridah@dhaka.net, india.pen@gmail.com, info@internationalpen.org.uk, karen.efford@internationalpen.org.uk, mitchell.albert@internationalpen.org.uk, nabaneeta@nabaneetadevsen.com, pen@pen.org, pisubscribers@internationalpen.org.uk, ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk, sampurna_c@yahoo.co.uk, sara.whyatt@internationalpen.org.uk, tamsin.mitchell@internationalpen.org.uk
Date: Thursday, 25 September, 2008, 6:20 AM

Dear all,

I have posted In search of the history : All INDIA PEN CENTER and edited a old posting about International PEN the history part http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/ from various source Pen centers, It is my humble request to you please check it if anything I have mistaken.
I look forward to hear from you . Thank you.

My best regards
Albert Ashok ( member, campaign executive)
---------------------------------

I had seen a message on christian persecution in India on the website of International PEN, so I wrote:From: pen kolkata [mailto:penkolkata@yahoo.co.in]
Sent: Mon 20/10/2008 06:24
To: Caroline McCormick; Cerian Eiles; Emily Bromfield; Frank Geary; Info -
International PEN; Karen Efford; Mitchell Albert; Sara Whyatt
Subject: Please include my name in the list


Dear All,

I have noticed that your news on attacks on Indian christian included a list of
names , i think I am a member and working voluntarily for freedom of expression
and human rights.

http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/go/news/distinguished-writers-condemn-continuing-attacks-on-christians

Your inclusions of my name in the list is a recgnition of my personal efforts
in this regard.

I take labour for my action that is I think priceless and bold ( i am from a
very poor class so when I work for this global concern I have to lose my
earnings a lot and my family has to suffer, i think in this respect my works is
price less, I am fighting also to bring all friends in PEN West Bengal in
harmony and proper knowledge within Charter of International PEN)

To verify my word click
http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2008/09/in-search-of-history-all-indian-pen.html


http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/

http://cartoonin.blogspot.com/2008/10/shameful-beastly-acts-by-cowards-and.html

http://www.cartoonin.blogspot.com/

Best regards
Albert Ashok

I had a reply from International PEN:

--- On Mon, 20/10/08, Emily Bromfield wrote:
From: Emily Bromfield
Subject: RE: Please include my name in the list
To: penkolkata@yahoo.co.in
Date: Monday, 20 October, 2008, 7:09 PM

Dear Albert Ashok,

It is good, as always, to hear from you.
The statement was issued by the All India PEN Centre, so perhaps we can suggest
you contact the Secretary to declare your interest in being added to the
statement. International PEN cannot add your name directly as we support the
initiative but we did not originate it.
With best wishes,

Emily

Emily Bromfield
Communications Director
International PEN

________________________________



16) 23rd Oct 2008
I wrote again to Ranjit:

from Albert Ashok kolkata
Thursday, 23 October, 2008 5:56 AM
From:"pen kolkata"

To:ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk

Dear Ranjit,

I have seen a report on recent christian persecution at

http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/go/news/distinguished-writers-condemn-continuing-attacks-on-christians
I came to know that you have sent it. I appreciate the timely action.
In kolkata, all our executive members are slow for their age related problem, but i have my voice against this I would request you to view my blogs and your comments
apart from this I personally want to involve with you in activities like Indian art and culture. I also would request you to enlist my name in your mail list when you do any action on behalf of Indian PEN. I would like to put your news in my penblog
http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/
http://cartoonin.blogspot.com/2008/10/shameful-beastly-acts-by-cowards-and.html
http://www.cartoonin.blogspot.com/
give my regards to sampurna chatterjee and dauji gupta, I have read your works and sampurna's works. It gives me pleasure
I wait for your reply
Best regards

Albert Ashok
Member
All India PEN West Bengal


--------------------------------------
17) 4th Nov 2008
I sent another remider:

From: "pen kolkata"

To: ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk

Dear Ranjit,

I am eagerly waiting for your kind response,are you still angry with me? the last mail I sent as follow:
I have seen a report on recent christian persecution at
http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/go/news/distinguished-writers-condemn-continuing-attacks-on-christians
I came to know that you have sent it. I appreciate the timely action.
In kolkata, all our executive members are slow for their age related problem, but i have my voice against this I would request you to view my blogs and your comments
apart from this I personally want to involve with you in activities like Indian art and culture. I also would request you to enlist my name in your mail list when you do any action on behalf of Indian PEN. I would like to put your news in my penblog
http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/
http://cartoonin.blogspot.com/2008/10/shameful-beastly-acts-by-cowards-and.html
http://www.cartoonin.blogspot.com/
give my regards to Sampurna Chatterjee and Dauji Gupta, I have read your works and sampurna's works. It gives me pleasure
I wait for your reply
Best regards

Albert Ashok
Member
All India PEN West Bengal


----------------------------------------
18) 14 Nov 2008
blog review
Friday, 14 November, 2008 5:04 PM
From: "Caroline McCormick"

To: penkolkata@yahoo.co.in

Dear Albert,
I’ve just taken a look and this is very helpful.
Thank you for your good work.
Best wishes,
Caroline

Caroline McCormick
Executive Director
International PEN


From: pen kolkata [mailto:penkolkata@yahoo.co.in]
Sent: 14 November 2008 11:20
To: Cerian Eiles; Emily Bromfield; Caroline McCormick
Subject: blog review

Dear Sir/Madam,

Please, check the following blogs I have posted some news about you from your website or others.

I need your views.
http://penreporter.blogspot.com/
http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/
http://newsfreedomofexpression.blogspot.com/
http://freenewsfreespeech.blogspot.com/
www.cartoonin.blogspot.com

I am looking forward to hear from you, thank you.

Best regards

Albert Ashok
http://mydiaryalbertashok.blogspot.com/
http://www.freedomtocreateprize.com/featuredartist_Albert_Ashok.asp



---------------------------------
19) 5th Dec. 2008

An expression of anger and an appeal Friday, 5 December, 2008 12:08 AM From:"pen kolkata" To:info@internationalpen.org.uk, "berni m janssen" , jbloch@pencanada.ca, karen.efford@internationalpen.org.uk, kward@pencanada.ca, mbf@pencanada.ca, mitchell.albert@internationalpen.org.uk, nabaneeta@nabaneetadevsen.com, natasha@article19.org, ngranda@pencanada.ca, oliver@article19.org, outreach@ifex.org, pen@pen.org, pisubscribers@internationalpen.org.uk, ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk, sampurna_c@yahoo.co.uk, sara.whyatt@internationalpen.org.uk, sarah@englishpen.org, tamsin.mitchell@internationalpen.org.uk, tanya@englishpen.org, taslima.nasrin@gmail.com, wipc@comhem.se... more Dear friends and collegues, It is an expression of our anger and an appeal for maintaining peace, harmony and Indian integrity in face of terrorists' attack in Indian soil on 26 th Nov.08 " We condemn the indiscriminate violence that hit Mumbai, India, through a series of ugly and odious terrorists act. We stand in solidarity with the families of unsung heroes, brave soldiers and security forces of India , who were courageously heading to protect Indians and foreign hostages in recent terrorists attack, in Mumbai. We appeal to all INDIANS to stay calm,united and foil the evil designs of the terrorists whose main objectives are to spread violence, disintegration and hatred. We urge the political parties not to exploit these terrorist acts for political purposes.We are alarmed over the sophistication and military level planning seen in these coordinated attacks and on the failure of the intelligence agencies in preventing such a huge and widespread attack. We demand that the federal and state governments bring the perpetrators of these actions to justice swiftly." The signatories include: ( writers, artists and prominent personalities) co ordinated by : Sahitya Setu and Rainbow Artists and Writers Foundation Please Visit http://penreporter.blogspot.com/ http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/ http://newsfreedomofexpression.blogspot.com/ http://freenewsfreespeech.blogspot.com/ Thank you We shall appreciate if you publish the above matter through your media. Thank you Best regards Albert Ashok On behalf of All India PEN center. West Bengal

--------------------------------o-------------------------------------
From my inbox and sent folder the following mails in 2009 speak :
1) 9th Feb. 2009
When terrorists attacked Mumbai we in West Bengal came out with an appeal:
From: pen kolkata
Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2009 09:51:54 +0530 (IST)
To: Emily Bromfield;
Subject: Indian PEN. West Bengal

Dear Emily and Caroline,
With hope , soon we shall hear from International PEN, about a pending request and its status , that we sent on 18 dec. 2008, on the topics :

An expression of Our Anger and An Appeal from Writers Community In West Bengal

It is an expression of our anger and an appeal for maintaining peace, harmony and Indian integrity in face of terrorists' attack in Indian soil on 26 th Nov.08.

Please visit the link for more doc.
http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com

http://penreporter.blogspot.com/2008/12/india-expression-of-our-anger-and.html



" We condemn the indiscriminate violence that hit Mumbai , India , through a series of ugly and odious terrorists act.We stand in solidarity with the families of unsung heroes, brave soldiers and security forces of India , who were courageously heading to protect Indians and foreign hostages in recent terrorists attack, in Mumbai.

We appeal to all INDIANS to stay calm,united and foil the evil designs of the terrorists whose main objectives are to spread violence, disintegration and hatred.

We urge the political parties not to exploit these terrorist acts for political purposes.We are alarmed over the sophistication and military level planning seen in these coordinated attacks and on the failure of the intelligence agencies in preventing such a huge and widespread attack.

We demand that the federal and state governments bring the perpetrators of these actions to justice swiftly."

PEN. All India center, West Bengal
Tamer lane, Kolkata , India - 700028

The signatories include: ( writers, artists and prominent personalities)
Signs are collected from all over West Bengal .
Co ordinators : Sahitya Setu and Rainbow Artists and Writers Foundation


About 500 Intellectuals from different communities like religious, social and political: Writer ( mostly Editor, Poets , Novelists and Essayist) Film Maker, Singer, University Professors , Stage Actor have signed on this appeal of/to solidarity . Its a great bond of Brotherhood in face of abominable, heinous terrorists conspiracy and attacks from foreign and neighbouring soil. We are ready to weed out any fanaticism, communalism and conspiracy to save the lives of Indian and integrity of Indian Soil.

Treat this as a humble request from West Bengal PEN in solidarity with writers association of International PEN.
Best Regards
Albert Ashok ,
On behalf of All India PEN, West Bengal ,

International PEN respoded :
RE: Indian PEN. West Bengal
Monday, 9 February, 2009 6:16 PM
From:
"Frank Geary"
View contact details
To:
penkolkata@yahoo.co.in
Cc:
"All-India PEN Centre Secretary Ranjit Hoskote (E-mail)"
Dear Albert Ashok,

Thank you for your email.
If this is a statement on behalf of the All India PEN Centre, please liaise with the All India PEN Centre Executive Committee, and send us an agreed statement on behalf of the whole PEN Centre. I am copying thsi email to Ranjit Hoskote, Secretary of the All-India PEN Centre.

I should also remind you that the name of 'PEN' or 'PEN Centre' cannot be used without the approval of the International PEN Assembly of Delegates. If you are a designated chapter of the All India PEN Centre, I suggest you refer to yourselves as the West Bengal Chapter of All India PEN Centre or a similar title. Each Centre agrees the role of its chapters. If you have such an agreement, please let us know.

With best wishes,

Frank Geary


Frank Geary
International Programmes Director
International PEN
But Ranjit did not respond , he says he is receptive and collaborative, his word does not match his action, Its Fact.




--------------------------------------
2) 12th May 2009
A reminder
Tuesday, 12 May, 2009 8:10 PM
From:"pen kolkata"

To: executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk
From Kolkata, India.
Dear executive director,

We, on behalf of West Bengal, India, sent you a mail on last February. regarding opening an indipendent center in kolkata West Bengal, India. We sent mail to Mr Ranjit Hoskote , the general secretary in Mumbai. But we are sad to tell you that neither you nor Mr Ranjit Hoskote had replied.

We feel let down. and we are determined to seek what we deserve. I dont know is it the way or an expression from writers organisation like International PEN.

We have still hope and believe we shall have an answer from International pen and others organisation.

Thanking you
Albert Ashok

http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/04/grievance-against-all-india-pen-center.html
--------------------------------------------------------------
3) 15 Th May 2009
RE: Indian PEN. West Bengal
Friday, 15 May, 2009 9:56 AM
From: "pen kolkata"

To: "Frank Geary"
Cc: executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk, info@internationalpen.org.uk


To
Frank Geary
International Programmes Director
International PEN
Brownlow House
50 / 51 High Holborn
LONDON WC1V 6ER
Tel: +44 207 4050338
Fax: +44 207 4050339

Dear Frank Geary,

Once again, we request you and all in International PEN that we sent mails to you regarding opening a new PEN center in Kolkata for Eastern India, for we are refused and barred joining All India PEN center in Mumbai, and its impossible also to keep contact with people who do not like bengal living 2000 KM afar . It is sad that International PEN strangely silent over this dispute

If you dont like to answer our querries and dispute International PEN should clearly say its decision and we shall not spend our time writing you and all. it saves your time and our time

I hope this time we shall have an answer

with best regards
Albert Ashok

On behalf of All India PEN, West Bengal ,

165, R N Guha Road Kolkata -700028, India .

Phone +9133 2560 0070

http://www.penwestbengal.blogspot.com/

we are bringing this grievances to the world communities

http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/04/grievance-against-all-india-pen-center.html
-------------------------------------------
4) 11 th June 2009

we continued our best efforts to keep a contact with Mumbai

From Kolkata
Thursday, 11 June, 2009 2:27 PM
From: "pen kolkata"

To: ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk
Message contains attachments
1 File (38KB)

* ranjit.docranjit.doc



Dear Ranjit

We are going to publish a quarterly journal 'Pen WestBengal Review', the first issue we are bringing out in this month of June, as our president Mr Sunil Gangopadhya will not be in India for a couple of months.
The content of journal journal are as follow, special feature (articles on a PEN member in India, life and works) poem , stories and essays and little news from pen centers world wide including local updates and activities.

This present issue will focus two important personalities , one is on Sunil Gangopadhya as president of west Bengal PEN and another will be on you as hon. Secretary and treasurer.
I have collected materials on you from different sources in internet. I am afraid they might be wrong so I am sending it to you , please find the attachment and read the materials whether they are correct and send it back , if you have any suggestion you can put in your mail. We need also your phone number and residential address.


With best regards
Albert Ashok
9133 2529 9371
Excutive member (PEN west Bengal)
Editor : Pen West Bengal Review

http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/06/dr-jagannath-ghosh-passes-away-on-10.html
http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/06/in-loving-memory-of-debkumar-basu.html

----------------------------------------------------
5) 17 th June 2009
reminder
Wednesday, 17 June, 2009 9:54 AM
From:"pen kolkata"

To:ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk


dear Ranjit,

Earlier I sent you a mail, and that was very important to us. Again, I remind you that our news buletin needs your co operation pls. send your opinion about your biodata that is due to go to press.
regards
albert
-----------------------------------------
6) 22nd June 2009

I was desperate by the deplorable situation and very disappointed, I sent my views to many :

From: pen kolkata [mailto:penkolkata@yahoo.co.in]
Sent: 21 June 2009 11:22
To: Emily Bromfield; Caroline McCormick; Frank Geary; Info - International PEN; Mitchell Albert
Cc: alice@englishpen.org; andrea@englishpen.org; editor@ibnlive.com; editorial@newstatesman.co.uk; enquiries@englishpen.org; faridah@dhaka.net; feedback@ndtv.com; ftw@pen.org; ifex@ifex.org; india.pen@gmail.com; info@24ghantas.com; info@article19.org; jonathan@englishpen.org; letters@dailymail.co.uk; mailbag@worldmag.com; nabaneeta@nabaneetadevsen.com; natasha@article19.org; oliver@article19.org; PEN-Germany@t-online.de; pen@pen.org; PI Subscribers; ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk; rita dahl; sampurna_c@yahoo.co.uk; Sara Whyatt; sarah@englishpen.org; Sonnet MondalSec. General United Minds For Peace Society; starananda@starnews.co.in; taslima.nasrin@gmail.com; thestatesman@vsnl.com; thestatesman@vsnl.net; ttedit@abpmail.com
Subject: Pen West Bengal review-- a quarterly bulletin is been published

Dear all,

I have noticed that you people are not responding my emails. Its your duty and of the chair you hold whether you would answer a mail or not. I hope a writers community never behave like this. anyway our duty is to inform and keep a connection and inform all.

A good news from All-India PEN, West Bengal Chapter, We have published a quarterly news bulletin ‘ The PEN West Bengal Review’ on 20 June 2009. Our executive body has decided in its last meeting on last 4^th June to publish and continue a news bulletin. We are sending it to various media and organization and interested readers and writers can print it from our blog.

The link is given below:

http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/06/pen-westbengal-review.html

and related useful links about PEN West Bengal chapter

http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/06/dr-jagannath-ghosh-passes-away-on-10.html

http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/06/in-loving-memory-of-debkumar-basu.html

http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/04/grievance-against-all-india-pen-center.html

http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/04/history-of-pen-in-bengali-for-bengali.html

thank you

Regards

Albert Ashok
Executive member , PEN All-India center, West Bengal Chapter
Editor : The PEN WestBengal Review

165,R N Guha Road , Kolkata 700028

Phone (9133) 2529 9371

And Caroline responded:
RE: Pen West Bengal review-- a quarterly bulletin is been published
Monday, 22 June, 2009 5:36 PM
From:
"Caroline McCormick"

To:
"pen kolkata" , "Emily Bromfield" , "Frank Geary" , "Info - International PEN" , "Mitchell Albert" ... more
Cc:
alice@englishpen.org, andrea@englishpen.org, editor@ibnlive.com, editorial@newstatesman.co.uk, enquiries@englishpen.org, faridah@dhaka.net, feedback@ndtv.com, ftw@pen.org, ifex@ifex.org, india.pen@gmail.com, info@24ghantas.com, info@article19.org, jonathan@englishpen.org, letters@dailymail.co.uk, mailbag@worldmag.com, nabaneeta@nabaneetadevsen.com, natasha@article19.org, oliver@article19.org, PEN-Germany@t-online.de, pen@pen.org, "PI Subscribers" , ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk, "rita dahl" , sampurna_c@yahoo.co.uk, "Sara Whyatt" , sarah@englishpen.org, "Sonnet MondalSec. General United Minds For Peace Society" , starananda@starnews.co.in, taslima.nasrin@gmail.com, thestatesman@vsnl.com, thestatesman@vsnl.net, ttedit@abpmail.com... more

Dear Albert,

Thank you for your message. I do try and look at as many of your blogs and documents which you send through as I can and have sent through messages of support when I have had chance to do so. However, with 144 PEN Centres in 102 countries, I’m afraid I simply can’t read and comment on everyone’s work. That doesn’t lessen my appreciation of it.

With regard to the ongoing tension between yourself and the office of All India PEN Centre, I will state again that International PEN does not involve itself in the internal dispute. I would like to urge you both to enter into open dialogue about these problems. I will write to Ranjit with the same message and look forward to hearing from you both as to your progress.

My best wishes,

Caroline

Caroline McCormick
Executive Director
International PEN

Caroline again tried her best to dissolve the disput

FW: Pen West Bengal review-- a quarterly bulletin is been published
Monday, June 22, 2009 5:39 PM
From: "Caroline McCormick"

To: ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk
Cc: albertashok@yahoo.com
Dear Ranjit,

As I have said several times to Albert, International PEN does not involve itself in internal disputes; however we do expect every effort to be made to address them when they arise.

I would like to strongly urge you both again to enter into open dialogue as to how you can work and move forwards together. I will wait to hear from you both as to how things are progressing.

My best wishes,

Caroline
Caroline McCormick
Executive Director
International PEN

------------------------------------
7) 22 nd June 2009
Thanks to International PEN
Monday, 22 June, 2009 6:36 PM
From: "pen kolkata"

To: "Caroline McCormick"
Dear Caroline,

Thanks for your reply, we have due respect to each and everyone working in International PEN.
Thank you
Best wishes

Albert Ashok
I thanked Caroline for her support
-----------------------------------------
8) 22nd June 2009
and again Taslima Nasreen appears in this scene, as her nature to damage an unity:

"Taslima Nasrin"
View contact details
To:
"Caroline McCormick"
Cc:
"pen kolkata" , "Emily Bromfield" , "Frank Geary" , "Info - International PEN" , "Mitchell Albert" , alice@englishpen.org, andrea@englishpen.org, editor@ibnlive.com, editorial@newstatesman.co.uk, enquiries@englishpen.org, faridah@dhaka.net, feedback@ndtv.com, ftw@pen.org, ifex@ifex.org, india.pen@gmail.com, info@24ghantas.com, info@article19.org, jonathan@englishpen.org, letters@dailymail.co.uk, mailbag@worldmag.com, nabaneeta@nabaneetadevsen.com, natasha@article19.org, oliver@article19.org, PEN-Germany@t-online.de, pen@pen.org, "PI Subscribers" , ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk, "rita dahl" , sampurna_c@yahoo.co.uk, "Sara Whyatt" , sarah@englishpen.org, "Sonnet MondalSec. General United Minds For Peace Society" , starananda@starnews.co.in, thestatesman@vsnl.com, thestatesman@vsnl.net, ttedit@abpmail.com... more
Hi Caroline !
I just cant resist myself to inform you that during my stay in Kolkata, (West Bengal, India) the government of West Bengal banned my book called 'Dwikhandito', a several fatwa was issued against me by the Muslim fundamentalists, they set price on my head, i was physically attacked by the fanatics, I was forced to live under house arrest by the the government, after a violent protest against my stay in Kolkata I was bundled out of Kolkata which was my home for 4 years( 2004-2007), I was again forced to live in solitary confinement in Delhi, and finally I was thrown out of India by the Indian government. A writer, because of her writings, and because of her views that are different than the extremists has been banished, banned and blacklisted in the ''largest democracy'', and PEN kolkata did not do anything to protest against the fatwas, or attacks or harassment.
I don't think PEN is at all a known organisation in Kolkata.
I am now having a nomadic existence in the West, living out of a suitcase. My home is still in Kolkata, and I am not allowed to return to my home.
I hope you will try to find some efficient writers to be involved in PEN kolkata who can support the persecuted writers.
Best,
Taslima


it is because I wanted to help her. Ungrateful woman!
----------------------------------
9) 8th July 2009
I wrote back Taslima and become concious of her intentional ill will and determined to expose her nature otherwise she may cause havoc to the people who wanted to help her:
Taslima, we have a reply in our blog
Wednesday, 8 July, 2009 3:05 PM
From: "pen kolkata"
Add sender to Contacts
To: taslima.nasrin@gmail.com
Cc: executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk

Dear Taslima,

Your letter to executive director of International PEN is a work of irresponsible writer. it gave us , the volunteers of PEN center , a deep wound and unending pain. we have posted the whole episode in our blog
http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/07/other-side-of-taslima.html

Let the whole world know what offence we have done, we are posting a comprehensive matter on your life up-to-date with in a few weeks. so that everyone can read you and defend you properly atleast in Bengal without border.

My best wishes

Albert Ashok
Executive member , PEN All-India center, West Bengal Chapter
Editor : The PEN WestBengal Review




-------------------------------
10) 9 th July 2009

From: "pen kolkata"

To: executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk

Dear Caroline,

After a long struggle I am succeeding to renovate the old structure of West Bengal PEN of all India PEN center. I made and got all my friends ( members of PEN) acquainted with International PEN, the charter, aim and all vital information literally in our meeting and through PEN News Journal. I have uplifted the spirit and gave a speed and action to this organisation.

The credit goes to International PEN and its numerous centers where I regularly visited and collected information. Thanks to Internet and my perseverance and patience.

May be as people say I am very much aggressive and fast in nature. I think I am doing what it requires to put things straight.

I thank you especially because most of my mails you replied, and it encouraged me to devote my time with this writers organization, many from different countries also helped me in many ways. I appreciate also their cooperation.

This time I have a request to you, can you send me any message/ matter on behalf of International PEN for publication in our next issue ( OCT. 2009 The PEN West Bengal Review, http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/06/pen-westbengal-review.html ).
Actually, I put importance on your writing to publicize International PEN and bringing more writers in this organization. Your cooperation will be very much appreciated. Thank you

My best regards

Albert Ashok
Editor
The PEN West Bengal Review
http://www.penreporter.blogspot.com/ .
http://www.penwestbengal.blogspot.com/




--------------------------------------
11) 14th July 2009

-----------------------------------------
12) 8th Sept. 2009

International PEN
Monday, September 7, 2009 10:18 PM
From: "Caroline McCormick"

To:albertashok@yahoo.com

Dear Albert,

I understand that you have recently been referring to the West Bengal PEN Centre of International PEN in your blog and in other documents. I must highlight to you that there is no West Bengal PEN Centre. In order to use the name of PEN you need the permission of the Assembly of Delegates of International PEN. I would be happy to direct you as to how to work with us on developing a PEN Centre, but until accepted by the Assembly you cannot use the name of PEN. I must remind you that the name is copy-writed.

Yours,
Caroline

Caroline McCormick
Executive Director
International PEN

I replied:
--------------------------------
13) 8 th Sept. 2009


Re: International PEN
Tuesday, September 8, 2009 5:11 PM
From: "aibert ashok"

To:"Caroline McCormick"

Dear Caroline,

We ( from West Bengal) never ever claimed West Bengal is a PEN center, it is a chapter of All India PEN center. In our newly journal we mentioned it as a chapter organisation of All India PEN Center. Where you have got this particular phrase 'the West Bengal PEN Centre of International PEN'' , I think you have mistaken.Its not true.
Yes, my blog's address is 'http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com.it is just a name to indicate the blog about PEN and this blog does not represent our organisation,

I feel a zeal to work for PEN, so all PEN news around the globe, whatever I collect and think suitable to post I do. You check them all posts are of about PEN. If you say I should stop, I shall stop. In my blog, I post also local news, it does not neccessarily indicate its a PEN center. several times I mentioned its a chapter organisation.

Your last request to West Bengal and to Mr. Ranjit Hoskote, Mumbai did not bring a solution. we are sorry, Mr. Ranjit Hoskote does not think to reply us. I donot think this is the way a responsible secretary of a pen center treats with a fellow writers, members. In my blog you will notice the long involvement of westbengal writers, they held important position in the very center of Mumbai.

We want a center of our own, Guide us what to do?

I am waiting to hear your reply

My best wishes

Albert Ashok
executive West Bengal chapter of all India PEN Center

---------------------------------------
14) 8th Sept. 2009
Being diappointed on Executive director I wrote to International PEN, to Emily Bromfield the same request:

membership from India
Tuesday, September 8, 2009 5:56 PM
From:"aibert ashok"

To:emily.bromfield@internationalpen.org.uk


Dear Emily,

I want to become a PEN member of International PEN, I am also an executive of westbengal chapter of all India PEN center of International PEN.

Mr Ranjit Hoskote, the secretary of All-India PEN Center has stopped communicating with us. Executive director of International PEN, Caroline is aware of this.

I would request you to help me find solution:

1) I as an individual want to become a member of ‘International PEN’

2) The writers group in west Bengal want an independent center of International PEN

We shall not go anymore to Mr. Ranjit Hoskote, The Mumbai center is 2000km away, its impossible to contact the center, guide us what to be done.


I look forward to hear from you soon. Thank you

Yours

Albert Ashok



------------------------------
15) 15 th Sept. 2009
Again on 15 Sept, Caroline sent us message:
FW: membership from India
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 6:08 PM
From: "Caroline McCormick"

To:albertashok@yahoo.com, ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk, "Sampurna Chattarji"

Dear Albert and Ranjit,

I believe that International PEN has made its position on this matter extremely clear; we expect communication to take place and a resolution to this matter to be found.

It is in the spirit of PEN to work in co-operation and harmony and the Board expects to see this reflected in the behaviour of both parties in this matter.

I expect to see efforts towards communication from both sides and a joint report on this issue in due course.

Yours,
Caroline

Caroline McCormick
Executive Director
International PEN


-------------------------------------
16) 16 th Sept. 2009

I replied Caroline and Ranjit:

membership from India
Wednesday, September 16, 2009 10:50 PM
From: "Albert Ashok"

To:"Caroline McCormick" , ranjithoskote@yahoo.co.uk, "Sampurna Chattarji"
Cc: "emily"


Dear Ranjit,

This is second time that both you and me have received a second mail from International PEN secretariat concerning our problems and dispute.

Earlier, I had sent you mails, but you still keep mum. We writers in West Bengal do not expect such behaviour from a secretary of All India PEN center. We hope writers in PEN work with cooperation and harmony. But it is missing from your behaviour and for decades, we are tolerating and keeping silence. If you can not maintain the liabilities and unable to do the duties of a PEN center you confess it and help us create a new PEN independent center. We understand no one can take notice from 2000 Km away. Nor we could see people in Mumbai from Kolkata. It is impossible. The two states differ each other in many ways. Language, lifestyle, economy etc. But our faith is we can maintain co operation and harmony.

Please, consider we need our own community growth, we need to take care of ourselves, we cannot depend on a center which is 2000 KM away for any approval of activities. We had been left abandoned, detached for decades; we do not expect it again in future. Our group is growing day by day. So, we need our own center. Please, forward this appeal to International PEN secretariat. and do cooperate us. Thank you.

With best regards

Albert Ashok
-----------------------------------------
17) 4 th Oct. 2009
http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/10/have-look-inside-p-e-n-india.html
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18) 4 th Oct. 2009

Now I hope this exposition of documents will unfold the truth about Ranjit's claim and his good intention of collaborative, receptive spirit of Mumbai center.
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I want these documents and the relating story of Indian PEN will touch my brothers and sisters in PEN community, the great writers association.

I would love to hear from the readers about this matter. Thank you