Bengali television serial Dusahobas (translated roughly as unbearable cohabitation), based on a script by controversial Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, has met with strong opposition from a prominent Muslim cleric in the city. The Shahi Imam of the Tipu Sultan Masjid issued the warning here on Tuesday.

Coming down strongly on the channel,which is to telecast the serial from Thursday, Maulana Nurur Rahman Barkati told The Hindu that “the serial based on her [Taslima Nasreen’s] life is nothing but a commercial gimmick aimed at getting cheap publicity.” If the serial was telecast, it would result in undermining communal harmony in West Bengal.

“I have met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the serial last week,” said Mr. Barkati. He vowed to stop the serial from being broadcast.

The serial portrays the suffering of women and their struggle to overcome it. Ms. Nasreen was forced to leave Kolkata in November 2007 following violent protests against her works Members of some Muslim organisations had organised protests in the city.