@mihirssharma Behind
Heehs's visa non extension are religious fundamentalists making great noise,
lobbying. Heehs is a soft target. @mihirssharma Yes,
but can't allow intellectuals to be thrown out of India
Home minister P Chidambaram on Saturday asked for a
review of an order denying American historian Peter Heehs a visa extension. "This was noticed by me this morning," Chidambaram told reporters,
referring to the HT report on how Heehs, an inmate of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram,
was being denied visa extension. Heehs, who has been living in
India
For years, religious fundamentalists have been
harassing Heehs over his non-hagiographic and more academic treatment of Sri
Aurobindo's well-received biography. "I understand that the FRO has passed
the order," Chidambaram said. "I have asked for a review. I am told
that the file will be submitted to me on Monday, I will take a decision
then." The FRO, who signs as Aruna, could not be contacted. Repeated calls
and SMSes to joint secretary (foreigners) GVV Sarma too went unanswered. "I
am very grateful to the home minister for consenting to review my case,"
Heehs said.
On Friday, 30 intellectuals - including historian
Romila Thapar, academic Pratap Bhanu Mehta and poet and literary critic Arvind
Krishna Mehrotra - had petitioned the PM and Chidambaram, asking them to review
the decision. "To extend the visa would be to do the right thing for
Heehs, Sri Aurobindo and India
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