What Led to the Ban of This Book? Reactions Emerge as 'The Satanic Verses' Returns to India

New Delhi, Dec 25 (NationPress) The provocative novel by British-Indian writer Salman Rushdie, ‘The Satanic Verses’, has made its quiet return to India, 36 years after its prohibition by the Rajiv Gandhi government, which buckled under pressure from various religious groups.

A limited supply of copies of this book, which sparked worldwide protests owing to its alleged blasphemous themes, has recently been made available for purchase at Bahrisons Booksellers in New Delhi.

In a conversation with IANS, one buyer remarked, "This is a very renowned book that many people are unaware of. I feel a personal connection to it as the author, Salman Rushdie, is from my homeland, Kashmir. Moreover, the global uproar it caused is noteworthy. A Fatwa was even issued against him. However, it appeared to have gradually slipped from the public's attention. This morning, I discovered in the news that it is back in the spotlight. Salman Rushdie is a liberal thinker, a fearless advocate, not necessarily against Islam but a seeker of truth. Thus, I perceive this not as an agenda but rather an intellectual endeavor, which is perhaps more significant in the current context of India. Every religion deserves scrutiny, especially those that often go unspoken about. Therefore, I believe it is an opportune time for social transformation and for politically driven individuals to recognize that there is no hidden agenda here; every religion possesses both virtuous and unvirtuous aspects and needs to be discussed openly."

Another patron at the bookstore said, "The value of knowledge remains paramount, regardless of its nature. Be it historical or otherwise, knowledge is neither antiquated nor contemporary; it should be embraced when discovered. The crucial question we have always pondered is, why was this book banned? This is a work by a globally celebrated author who has received numerous accolades, so why the prohibition? Now that we have the book, it is essential to read it to comprehend its significance."

A different reader recalled, "I was an assistant editor at 'The Statesman' in Calcutta when this book faced a ban. They prohibited its import, and I was fortunate to possess one of the early editions. I came specifically to acquire this copy as a keepsake of its renewed availability. It’s vital to advocate for free speech and support authors, irrespective of whether one agrees with their views or not, or whether one's political stance aligns with theirs. The crux of the matter is that I wanted to seize this moment. Regrettably, India, under Rajiv Gandhi, became the first nation globally to ban 'The Satanic Verses'. This dark distinction underscores the importance of making the book accessible once more. I am thrilled its availability has returned.”

“It's quite notorious, one might say, but I believe you cannot truly grasp the issues or the reason for the secrecy unless you read it. Often, it can be enlightening when such books come into your possession, prompting a desire to delve into them,” expressed another reader.