Storm in UP politics over Salman Rushdi's proposed India visit

 - Anil Narendra

It is difficult to understand, what prompted Salman Rushdi, the writer of the absurd book, 'The Satanic Verses', to express his desire to visit India just before UP Assembly elections. The information about Rushdi's visit was bound to make Muslims in India angry. Muslim leaders say that Muslim sentiments have been badly hurt by permitting Rushdi, who has made uncalled for and disrespectful remarks about the Prophet of Islam. This is, however, not for the first time that Rushdi will be visiting India, but the timing of his visit is somewhat surprising. After the controversy generated by his book, "The Satanic Verses", the Government of India had banned his entry into India and also banned the sale of his book. After a long time, the NDA Government, for the first time allowed Rushdi to visit India, but the ban on his book continued. But, now protests against the ensuing visit of Rushdi to India to attend a Literary Conference, being held in Jaipur on January the 21st have started. Ulemas are of the view that the Government of India must not allow Rushdi to visit India. A letter to this effect was sent to the Prime Minister on Tuesday by the Islamic Centre of India. The Chief of the Centre, Maulana Khalid Rashid said that Muslim sentiments would be hurt by allowing Salman Rushdi to visit India. Shiite Religious Leader Maulana Kalbe Jawad has also lodged his protest over Rushdi's visit. In fact, Rushdi, a British national of Indian origin, holds an Overseas Indian Citizen Card, which allows him to visit India without any visa. Under such circumstances, if Government decides to stop him from coming to India, it would have to withdraw the Overseas Indian Citizen Card. Meanwhile, to tease his opponents, Rushdi has written on his twiter that he needs no visa to visit India. It may be noted that it was the Darul Ulum Deoband, which was the first to demand cancelling Rushdi's proposed visit. The Government of India, at present has avoided direct interference, but it has indicated that whosoever has complaint in this matter, should contact the Legal authorities. Union Law Minister, Salman Khurshid has said that they cannot do anything beyond legal provisions. As such, those who think that some action must be taken in this matter, should seek legal redress. Incidentally, an official of the Ministry of External Affairs has said that the Government can ban the entry of PIO card holder in exceptional circumstances. The Government can take such decision, in cases of danger to law and order situation or threat to internal security.
Any religious person could feel irritated with a useless writer like Salman Rushdi. You cannot ridicule any religion or religious leader just for gaining cheap popularity or for money. Whether he is Salman Rushdi or MF Hussain, deeds of both of them are unpardonable. Both of them have hurt the feelings of crores of Muslims. They should have thought hundred times before their deeds. What prompted the world renowned artist like Hussain to paint nude picture of Goddess Saraswati? Similarly, did Rushdi want to earn money or cheap popularity with his deeds? There is a political angle to the proposed visit of Salman Rushdi. The heat of Rushdi's coming visit is not limited to the Muslims only, it is also being felt in the election atmosphere in U.P.

The Congress, which after a very long period has been able to make inroads into Muslim community, is wary of anything in this electoral atmosphere, which may detract the Muslim voters. In this connection, the State Muslim leaders have approached the headquarters and have started a campaign to stop Rushdi from coming to India. On the other hand, parties opposing Congress have found a weapon in Rushdi, which they are using to label Congress as anti-Muslims. "The Satanic Verses" was prohibited in October 1988, in the wake of strong opposition of Muslims. Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran, had, in fact issued a fatwa calling for the killing of Rushdi. I do not consider Rushdi as a writer. Rushdi wrote "The Satanic Verses" with malign and his real objective was to gain popularity overnight. To hurt anybody, can never be the intent of any writer. I don't know, who has invited him. Such events should be avoided, especially at the time of elections. May be, people intending to spread communal tension were behind the organization of the event. It is the responsibility of Election Commission to ban such events.