Satanic worries; Salman Rushdie to skip India visit?

Jaipur, Jan 17: After controversy erupted over news that noted author Salman Rushdie was set to visit India to attend the Jaipur Literary festival, it looks like he will be asked not to visit the country following

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Taking all precautions to avoid any shortcomings, the Rajasthan government has sought the organisers of the festival to ask Rushdie to call off his visit. They consider that his visit could trigger a security scare. [Read: Deoband calls for life ban for Salman Rushdie]

One particular group has gone to the extent of offering a cash reward for anyone who threw a shoe at him. His name no more finds place in the Literary festival's website. As per the earlier plans, Rushdie was scheduled to speak on Jan 20 and 21.

Speaking on the matter, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, "We do not have any reports of him coming here We received all information through media reports (on Salman Rushdie visit). Some people met us in Jaipur. We don't know what he is upto. It's is a matter of concern."

Rushdie was the patron of this hatred due to his portrayal of Islam and the Prophet in his controversial book, The Satanic Verses. The Islamic Seminary - Darul Uloom Deoband wanted the government to cancel Rusdie's visit by not granting him a visa. Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani, the Vice Chancellor of Darul Uloom has been quoted as saying, "Indian government should cancel his visa as Rushdie had annoyed the religious sentiments of Muslims in the past."

A fatwa was issued in his name in 1989 after the publication of the Satanic Verses in 1988.

OneIndia News