‘The Satanic Verses’ returns to India after 36-year ban
The book caused a furour against its author and content as it was deemed blasphemous by Muslim organisations the world over
New Delhi: British-Indian novelist Salman Rushdie’s controversial book ‘The Satanic Verses’ has returned to India 36 years after it was banned by the Rajiv Gandhi government. A limited stock of the book, which caused a furour against its author and content that was deemed blasphemous by Muslim organisations the world over, has been selling in the national capital for the past few days.
The book, priced at Rs 1,999, is only available at Bahrisons Booksellers stores across Delhi-NCR.
“@SalmanRushdie’s The Satanic Verses is now in stock at Bahrisons Booksellers! This groundbreaking & provocative novel has captivated readers for decades with its imaginative storytelling and bold themes. It has also been at the centre of intense global controversy since its release, sparking debates on free expression, faith, & art,” the bookseller said in a post on X.
In November, the Delhi High Court closed the proceedings on a petition challenging the Rajiv Gandhi government’s ban on the import of the novel, saying since authorities have failed to produce the relevant notification, it has to be ‘presumed that it does not exist.’ The order came after government authorities failed to submit the notification dated October 5, 1988, which banned the import of the book.
“In the light of the aforesaid circumstances, we have no other option except to presume that no such notification exists, and therefore, we cannot examine the validity thereof and dispose of the writ petition as infructuous,” the court said.
The book ran into trouble shortly after its publication, eventually leading to Iranian leader Ruhollah Khomeini issuing a fatwa calling on Muslims to kill Rushdie and his publishers. Rushdie spent nearly 10 years in hiding in the UK and the US. In July 1991, the novelist’s Japanese translator Hitoshi Igarashi was killed in his office. On August 12, 2022, Lebanese-American Hadi Matar stabbed Rushdie on stage at a lecture, leaving him blind in one eye.
Even though the book is now available for purchase, it evoked a mixed response from readers, especially due to its price.
