British-Indian author Salman Rushdie is appearing in the news and making headlines once again as his highly controversial novel, The Satanic Verses, has returned to market shelves after an almost 36-year ban. The book which is exclusively available at Bahrisons Booksellers in Delhi-NCR has re-sparked controversies drawing significant negative attention from the Muslim community.
@SalmanRushdie 's The Satanic Verses is now in stock at Bahrisons Booksellers!
— Bahrisons Bookseller (@Bahrisons_books) December 23, 2024
This groundbreaking & provocative novel has captivated readers for decades with its imaginative storytelling and bold themes. It has also been at the center of intense global controversy since it's pic.twitter.com/e0mtQjoMCb
As per the reports, several Muslim organizations and leaders have criticized the sale of the book claiming that it hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslim community. It is important to note that the book was banned by the Rajiv Gandhi government in the year 1988 after Muslims protested against it calling it ‘blasphemous’ literature. However, the resumption of the sale of books has provoked Muslims to urge the center to reinstate the ban on books.
The legal advisor for the Uttar Pradesh unit of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (AM), Maulana Kaab Rashidi commented on the matter and said that the religious sentiments of Muslims couldn’t be hurt by anybody under the guise of Article 21 which guarantees freedom of expression. He said the book that is being sold at Rs 2000 at present was ‘blasphemous’ and that it deserved to be banned again.
“If freedom of expression hurts someone’s sentiments, it is a legal offense. ‘The Satanic Verses’ is a blasphemous book. Selling such a controversial book under the pretext of freedom of expression cannot be accepted in any form. It goes against the spirit of the Constitution,” he was quoted as saying.
“We urge the government to protect constitutional values and reinstate the ban on this book as it hurts the sentiments of a large section of the population. The government has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution, and banning this book is its duty,” he added.
सुनने में आ रहा है कि सलमान रश्दी कि विवादस्पद किताब “The Satanic verses“, जिसके विरोध में 1988 से 2022 तक दुनियाभर में कई जानलेवा हमले किये गए है, इस किताब के अनुवादको की हत्याएं हो गई है, 2022 में खुद सलमान रसदी हमले में बाल बाल बचे है, पर कोर्ट का अंतिम फैसला आ गया है और इसपर… pic.twitter.com/c1u7hilgIV
— ocean jain (@ocjain4) December 26, 2024
Maulana Masood Abbas, General Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) also commented on the issue and demanded a ban on the book at the hands of the Center. “There should have been dialogue with people demanding a ban before allowing the sale of the book,” he said.
“The book mocks Islamic views, insults Prophet Muhammad and his companions, and hurts sentiments. Allowing its sale poses a threat to the country’s harmony. I urge the prime minister to impose a complete ban on this book in India,” he added.
Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi, National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat said, “The ban on The Satanic Verses had expired. Now, some publishers are planning to reprint the book in India. Back in 1988, Rajiv Gandhi’s government immediately banned it, but now preparations are underway to reintroduce it in India after the expiration of the ban.”
“This book insults Islam, Prophet Muhammad, and several Islamic figures. Its content is so offensive that it cannot be repeated. Allowing this book in the market will disturb the nation’s atmosphere. No Muslim can tolerate seeing this hateful book on any bookstore shelf,” Razvi added.
Not only this, but some of the political parties have also begun criticizing the sale of the book. Jammu & Kashmir National Conference leader, MLA of Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq stated that the book insulted the Muslim community and that it deserved to be banned.
“No community’s sentiments can be hurt in the name of secularism. If this is allowed, tomorrow controversial books on other religions might appear. Will the other community be happy then? I appeal to the center to ban the book immediately,” he said.
As predicted so-called "progressive moderate" parties like NC have begun to echo Muslim conservative groups that demand curbs on the sale of the Satanic Verses because it "provokes" Muslims.
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) December 26, 2024
Contrast this closing of ranks (and minds) within the Muslim community with the divide… pic.twitter.com/zSRW5zlAQD
JMM spokesperson Manoj Kumar Pandey also condemned the sale of the book. “The decision to lift the ban is beyond my understanding. When any government decided to ban a particular book, the ban was not lifted. If the ban is lifted, then the book comes to the market, and that makes sense. But I think the ban is still in place, and the order remains effective. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) makes a deliberate attempt to divert attention by raising such issues because they need a topic to fuel debates on Hindu-Muslim, religious conflicts, and India-Pakistan,” he said.
Ranchi, Jharkhand: JMM spokesperson Manoj Kumar Pandey on Indian-British novelist Salman Rushdie's book 'The Satanic Verses' returning to India after a 36-year ban says, "The decision to lift the ban is beyond my understanding. When any government decided to ban a particular… pic.twitter.com/SmyH8aDHrf
— IANS (@ians_india) December 26, 2024
While Islamists are demanding a ban on the book, BJP leader Radha Krishna Kishore said that the central government was strong enough to handle the situation.
Ranchi, Jharkhand: On Indian-British novelist Salman Rushdie's book 'The Satanic Verses' returning to India after a 36-year ban, Jharkhand Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore says, "…Our central leadership is very strong" pic.twitter.com/w3vQERlDFc
— IANS (@ians_india) December 26, 2024
The controversy revolving around the book is not new In 1988, the release of the book sparked massive outrage across the globe as Islamists claimed that the book insulted and hurt the Muslims. Iranian leader Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa instigating Muslims to kill the author and its publishers.
The unrest soon turned violent, with the book’s Japanese translator, Hitoshi Igarashi, being murdered in his office in July 1991. The author went into hiding, living under deployed security in the UK and the US. More recently, on August 12, 2022, Rushdie was targeted on a stage during a lecture in New York by Lebanese-American Hadi Matar, leaving him blind in one eye.
Notably, the resale of the book follows after the Delhi High Court terminated proceedings on a petition contesting the original prohibition due to a lack of evidence for notification. The event has again sparked outrage in the country with Muslims demanding a re-ban on the book.