Literature Fest: Readers of Rushdie's banned book in danger

Hyderabad, Jan 21: Asaduddin Owaisi, Member of Parliament (MP) from Hyderabad and President of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen on Saturday, Jan 21 demanded the immediate arrest of the writers, who read Salman Rushdie's banned book 'Satanic Verses' on the first day of the Jaipur Literature Festival.

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.

"Reading from a banned book is a deliberate provocation and proof that the festival is a forum for Islam-bashing," said MP Owaisi.

Moreover, the MP claims that the organizers and writers had committed a serious offence by reading the book which is still banned in India. Furthermore, the member of Lok Sabha demanded that the police book the writers under sections 153 A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) and 295 A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code and immediately arrest them.

"Their whole idea is to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in Rajasthan and the whole of India. We demand that the government of Rajasthan, the government of India and local police take immediate action," he said.

Earlier, on Jan 20, famous British novelist Salman Rushdie had cancelled his visit to the literary festival due to security reasons.

OneIndia News