Several Muslim organisations in India have condemned the renewed availability of Salman Rushdie’s controversial book The Satanic Verses and have called on the central government to reinstate the ban on it, citing its blasphemous content and the potential to hurt religious sentiments.
The book, which was banned by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1988, has recently reappeared on the shelves of Bahrisons Booksellers in Delhi-NCR, sparking outrage. This comes after the Delhi High Court in November closed proceedings on a plea challenging the 1988 ban, stating that the absence of the official notification from October 5, 1988, indicated that it may no longer exist.
Maulana Kaab Rashidi, legal advisor for the Uttar Pradesh unit of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (AM), expressed his concern over the book’s reappearance. He said, “If freedom of expression hurts someone’s sentiments, it is a legal offence. 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.”
Rashidi further emphasised that the government has a responsibility to uphold constitutional values and prevent actions that provoke sections of the population. “Resuming the sale of The Satanic Verses is an attempt at provocation. It is the government’s responsibility to stop this. If the government allows it, it would amount to shirking its constitutional duties,” he added.
Speaking on the sentiment of the Muslim community, Rashidi remarked, “Muslims regard Allah and the Prophet as dearer than their own lives and in such a scenario, the controversial book will never be tolerated. 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.”
Maulana Yasub Abbas, General Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, echoed similar concerns, stating, “There is talk of lifting the ban after 36 years. On behalf of the Shia Personal Law Board, I appeal to the Indian government to ensure the ban remains firmly in place. 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.”
He urged the prime minister to intervene and impose a complete ban, warning of the book’s potential to disturb communal harmony. “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,” he said.
Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi, National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, expressed similar apprehensions. “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,” he said.
He highlighted the offensive nature of the book’s content, stating, “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 warned of significant protests if the book becomes widely available and urged the central government to take immediate action.
The renewed availability of The Satanic Verses in India has reignited debates on the balance between freedom of expression and the need to safeguard religious sentiments, with calls for the government to intervene and ensure communal harmony.
With agency inputs