Farzana reacts to reactions over Rizwan’s death in Kolkata:

However, in Rizwan’s case it is clear that it isn’t merely financial circumstances that have caused his death. One would hate to make it sound communal, but unfortunately this is the case. We in India talk about secular democracy – now you know why I have been calling it a sham? Many have asked me why then do I take up the Indian Muslim cause. The reason is simple: IMs are a group of people, a minority. It is a matter of standing up for that group. I have spoken about Dalits – no one complains then. I speak about commercial sex workers, about the disabled, about those who are forced out of their shanties. I am not those. Why don’t they question me then?

I am in no position to talk about Islam, which is why I will not quote surahs. Islam does not need me to justify its existence.