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Jan

 Muslim groups outraged as ‘The Satanic Verses’ makes a quiet return

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By Our Correspondent

New Delhi | Friday | 3 January 2025

Salman Rushdie’s controversial novel, The Satanic Verses, has quietly resurfaced in India nearly 37 years after its import and sale were banned. This development has reignited tensions, with Muslim groups voicing their outrage and urging the Central Government to reimpose the ban. The novel, criticized for its alleged blasphemous content, has long been a focal point of global controversy, touching on issues of faith, freedom of expression, and societal harmony.

When The Satanic Verses was first published in 1988, it immediately sparked global outrage, particularly within the Muslim community. The Rajiv Gandhi government swiftly banned its import in India, citing its offensive portrayal of the Islamic faith, the Quran, and the Prophet Muhammad. India became one of the first nations to impose such a ban, aimed at preventing communal unrest. The controversy escalated when Iran’s then-Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa calling for Rushdie’s assassination, leading to years of hiding for the author.

Although Iran has since distanced itself from the fatwa, the threats against Rushdie persisted. In 2022, he was attacked and gravely injured at an event in upstate New York, losing an eye in the assault. Hadi Matar, a 26-year-old Shia Muslim from New Jersey, was charged with attempted murder and terrorism in connection with the stabbing. This incident underscored the enduring volatility surrounding the novel.

 

Article at a Glance
Salman Rushdie's controversial novel, The Satanic Verses, has reappeared in India after a 37-year ban, sparking renewed outrage among Muslim groups. The book, criticized for its perceived blasphemy, was banned in 1988 to prevent communal unrest.
The situation escalated when Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against Rushdie, leading to years of hiding for the author. Despite the ban's lifting by the Delhi High Court, which cited the government's failure to produce the original notification, many bookstores remain hesitant to stock the novel.
Prominent Muslim leaders have condemned its sale, arguing it threatens communal harmony and disrespects Islamic beliefs. This controversy highlights the ongoing struggle between freedom of expression and the protection of religious sentiments in India, raising questions about the government's future actions in similar cases.

Despite the contentious history, The Satanic Verses has now returned to select bookstores in India. Bahrisons Booksellers in New Delhi’s Khan Market announced the availability of the book on their social media platform, X. The post highlighted the novel’s legacy as both a literary milestone and a subject of intense debate over free expression and faith. Priced at Rs. 1,999, the book’s reentry into the Indian market has seen positive sales, according to Rajni Malhotra, owner of Bahrisons Booksellers. However, other major bookstores, such as Midland Book Shop and Om Book Shop, have opted not to stock it.

The Delhi High Court recently contributed to the book’s resurgence. In November 2024, the court closed proceedings on a petition challenging the original ban, citing the government’s inability to produce the official notification that enacted it. The court presumed the notification no longer existed, effectively allowing the book’s import and sale. This decision has drawn criticism from various quarters, particularly Muslim organizations.

Prominent Muslim leaders have strongly condemned the novel’s renewed availability. Maulana Kaab Rashidi of the Uttar Pradesh Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind argued that selling the book under the guise of freedom of expression contradicts constitutional principles, which prioritize harmony and prohibit actions that hurt religious sentiments. He emphasized that the government’s failure to act amounts to neglecting its constitutional responsibilities. “Muslims regard Allah and the Prophet as dearer than their lives. This book’s offensive content makes it intolerable,” Rashidi stated, urging the Central Government to reinstate the ban.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Maulana Yasub Abbas, general secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board. Abbas criticized any attempts to lift the ban, labeling the novel a threat to communal harmony. He appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the ban’s reimplementation, stressing that the book’s content mocks Islamic beliefs and insults Prophet Muhammad and his companions. Allowing its sale, Abbas argued, could disrupt the nation’s peace.

Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi, national president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, also called for decisive action. He noted that the book’s reappearance follows the expiration of the original ban and claimed some publishers plan to reprint it. Razvi warned that its availability would stir unrest and provoke significant protests from the Muslim community. “This hateful book insults Islam and its revered figures. It must be banned to preserve national harmony,” he stated.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) joined these voices of dissent. Former AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan condemned the Delhi High Court’s decision, urging the government to appeal to a higher court. He recalled past protests against the novel, including incidents in Mumbai where police fired on demonstrators, resulting in casualties. Pathan also expressed frustration over perceived governmental inaction on related issues, such as derogatory remarks made by other individuals against the Prophet Muhammad.

The renewed availability of The Satanic Verses raises broader questions about the balance between freedom of expression and the protection of religious sentiments. Supporters argue that literary works should not be censored merely because they provoke discomfort or dissent. Critics, however, contend that this particular novel crosses the line, offending deeply held beliefs and endangering social cohesion. The debate over the book underscores the complex interplay between individual rights and collective responsibilities in a diverse society like India.

The government’s response will likely set a precedent for how such controversies are handled in the future. While proponents of free speech celebrate the novel’s return as a victory for artistic expression, opponents view it as a disregard for communal harmony. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the Central Government will heed the appeals of Muslim organizations or maintain the status quo. The story of The Satanic Verses continues to serve as a potent reminder of the enduring power of literature to provoke, challenge, and divide.

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