Uncertainty over Rushdie’s Mumbai visit

April 16: Whether or not Salman Rushdie would visit Mumbai was a question that generated considerable confusion today even as Muslim organ...

April 16: Whether or not Salman Rushdie would visit Mumbai was a question that generated considerable confusion today even as Muslim organisations carried out protests against the writer in various parts of the city.

Labelling Rushdie a shaitan (devil) for writing the book Satanic Verses, members of the Mumbai Regional Muslim League today also shouted slogans against the BJP government for inviting Rushdie to India. “We have come to know from reliable sources that the government of Maharashtra has also invited Salman Rushdie. This has hurt the sentiments of the Muslim community. We demand that Rushdie should be immediately hanged to death,” said the Muslim League president (Mumbai region) M F Azam.

The League also demanded that the Indian-born author be arrested immediately for “insulting the sentiments of Muslims around the world” through his controversial book.

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League president Mohammad Faruque Azam, addressing the anti-Rushdie demonstration at Azad Maidan, said, “We will kill Rushdie if the government does not take any action”.

Azam later submitted a memorandum to Governor P C Alexander through the police, seeking Rushdie’s arrest. “Over 2,000 League activists would be present at Mumbai airport tomorrow when Rushdie arrives,” he added.

League general secretary Abdul Kalam Azad said, “Our activists will immolate themselves to demand action against Rushdie.” The League activists also burnt an effigy of Rushdie during the demonstration.

Meanwhile, police refused to confirm if the writer was scheduled to arrive in Mumbai.