Cancel His Visa, Demand Community Leaders
Hyderabad: A section of politicians, religious scholars and social activists in the city urged the Centre on Tuesday to deny visa to controversial author of ‘Satanic Verses’ Salman Rushdie on the grounds that his participation at the literary conclave in Jaipur “would add to the hurt feelings of the Muslims.”
“How can you invite and give such a big platform to a person like Rushdie who did not hesitate in denigrating personalities that are held in high esteem by the Muslims,” asked MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, cautioning that any concession to the writer would reflect badly on the government. The Muslims, according to him, would never forget or forgive what Salman Rushdie wrote in ‘Satanic Verses.’ The book is still banned in India. Owaisi added that he had condemned M F Hussain for his nude painting of Hindu goddesses, and on the same grounds, would never forgive Rushdie for his “blasphemous work.” “Recently in Parliament there was unanimity against the ban of the Bhagwad Gita by a court in Russia. Why shouldn’t there be similar unanimity on Rushdie,” he said.
While the All India Muslim
Personal Law Board distanced itself from taking a stand on the Rushdie controversy as the subject is out of its purview, its joint general secretary M A Rahim Quraishi said: “My personal view is that Rushdie should not be allowed to enter India. The Centre has permitted Taslima Nasreen to live in India and now it is considering a visa for Rushdie. This is no way of showing respect to the religious sentiments of the Muslims,” he pointed out.
The state chief of Jamaate-Islami Hind, Khaja Arifuddin, as well as state Jamiat Ulema chief Hafiz Peer Shabbir took similar stands. They said that government should ensure that a writer like Rushdie does not enter the country.
Religious scholar Omar Abideen said that Islam forbids its followers from saying things against the gods of other faiths. “In its war rules, Islam prevents the faithful from causing any harm to women, children, people holding religious positions and places of worship. Against this backdrop, how can Salman Rushdie be allowed to get away with what he has written?” he asked.
Social activist Iqbal Ahmed Engineer said while there is no harm in taking a critical view of religion, writers and others should not cross their line and start attacking the religious personalities or faiths.
Meanwhile, Majlis Bachao Tahreek corporator from Azampura, Amjadullah Khan, organized a rally and burnt Rushdie’s effigy.
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