Jaipur, Jan 24 (IANS) Minutes before Salman Rushdie was to speak to the Jaipur Literary Festival via video link, dozens of Muslims started praying in the courtyard of the Diggi Palace. Some of them threatened trouble and even bloodshed if the address by a “criminal writer” went ahead.

“Every mazhab (religion) teaches us to respect god within us, but those who insult god and religion have no business to be here,” said a Muslim who did not wish to be named.

“He is a criminal writer as far as Muslims are concerned. He has insulted Prophet Mohammed and there is no way we will let him speak even if he is doing so from abroad. There will be trouble if the speech by Rushdie goes ahead. Muslims are never afraid of dying,” he added.

In view of the threat, there is a possibility that video conference by the author of “The Satanic Verses” and “Midnight’s Children” may be scrapped.