Salman Rushdie calls off India visit after assassin threat

New Delhi, Jan 20: Famous British novelist Salman Rushdie on Friday, Jan 20 cancelled his most publicised and controversial visit to India's largest literature festival.

Organisers of the event said that the Booker Prize winning author withdrew his visit due to security reasons. Sources said that the organizers has received a email from Rushdie, which said he would not be attending the Jaipur literary festival to be held from Jan 20 to 24.

Sources also revealed that Rushdie has got intelligence reports from Mumbai and Rajasthan police that assassins might attack him during his India visit.

Rushdie's 1988 book "The Satanic Verses", which is banned in India, is still seen by many Muslims worldwide as a profane work that insults their religion. Which is why, Muslim communities raised voices against his arrival.

OneIndia News