Now, Muslims in Rajasthan protest Rushdie’s Jaipur visit
January 11th, 2012 - 11:54 pm ICT by IANSJaipur, Jan 11 (IANS) Author Salman Rushdie’s proposed visit to the Jaipur Literature Festival 2012 got mired deeper into controversy Wednesday as many leaders of the minority community in Rajasthan opposed it, demanding that the government should not allow him entry into the country.
After Darul Uloom Deoband’s demand that Rushdie be denied a visa, some leaders of BJP’s minority cell in the state and minority organizations including the All India Milli Council and Dr Zakir Hussain Welfare Society said Wednesday that they won’t let Salman Rushdie enter the city during the literature festival being organized at Diggi Palace here Jan 20-24.
The Vice Chairman of Darul Uloom, Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani had said Monday that the Indian government should cancel Rushdie’s visa as he had annoyed the religious sentiments of Muslims in the past.
However, Rushdie had posted on Twitter: “Regarding my Indian visit, for the record, I don’t need a visa.” Rushdie, who holds a British passport, also has a PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card issued by the Indian government.
Rushdie had earned the wrath of Muslims globally due to the alleged blasphemous content of his novel ‘The Satanic Verses’ published in 1988.
BJP minority cell’s state president Ameen Khan told mediapersons here that Rushdie will not be allowed to enter Jaipur at any cost. Its general secretary, Munawar Khan also warned of dire consequences if Rushdie comes to Jaipur to take part in the literature festival.
However, the organizers of the event said that the controversy was unwarranted.
- Rajasthan government to decide on Rushdie visit? - Jan 12, 2012
- Rushdie unlikely to attend Jaipur Festival - Jan 17, 2012
- Rushdie trip to Jaipur uncertain, cleric seeks apology (Roundup) - Jan 17, 2012
- Don't allow Rushdie in India: Deoband vice chancellor - Jan 09, 2012
- Rushdie's Jaipur visit under cloud (Second Lead) - Jan 10, 2012
- Rushdie's Jaipur visit under cloud (Lead) - Jan 09, 2012
- Suspense continues over Rushdie's Jaipur visit (Lead) - Jan 19, 2012
- Suspense continues over Rushdie's Jaipur visit - Jan 19, 2012
- BJP says Congress playing politics with Rushdie visit - Jan 10, 2012
- Rushdie does not need visa, has PIO card: Khurshid - Jan 11, 2012
- Sentiments vs freedom: Rushdie issue festers - Jan 29, 2012
- Congress steers clear of Rushdie visit controversy - Jan 10, 2012
- Complaints against four authors for 'The Satanic Verses' reading - Jan 23, 2012
- Salman Rushdie for Jaipur Lit Fest Jan 20-22 (Lead) - Jan 04, 2012
- Salman Rushdie to attend Jaipur Lit Fest Jan 20-22 - Jan 03, 2012
Tags: ameen, author salman rushdie, british passport, darul uloom deoband, dr zakir hussain, general secretary, indian government, indian origin card, jaipur, literature festival, minority community, minority organizations, nomani, religious sentiments, salman rushdie, satanic verses, state president, twitter, welfare society, zakir hussain