New Delhi: Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses has made its return to Indian bookstores after a hiatus of 36 years. The book, which has significantly influenced both literary and political discourse, is now legally available following the lifting of a ban that was enacted in 1988 by Rajiv Gandhi’s administration amid escalating protests and political pressure.
This ban appears to have been removed quietly, as there is no formal documentation confirming its status. Without any official declaration, the book has reappeared, with copies now found in well-known Delhi bookstores, such as Bahrisons.
The initial controversy surrounding The Satanic Verses was sparked by a review published in India Today, which included excerpts that were deemed offensive to religious sentiments. Prominent activist and politician Syed Shahabuddin had led the protests, which escalated into nationwide demonstrations that extended to Pakistan and other regions.
This unrest ultimately led to Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini issuing a fatwa against Rushdie in 1989. The international repercussions forced Rushdie into hiding for several years, while the book’s prohibition became a contentious emblem of the struggle for free speech and the sensitivities surrounding religion.
Additionally, Rushdie’s life was satirically represented in the Pakistani film International Gorillay, which depicted vigilantes seeking vengeance against a caricature of him, reflecting the cultural and ideological divides of that period.
The removal of the ban aligns with a broader contemplation of the politically charged environment of the late 1980s, characterised by controversies, such as the Shah Bano case, unlocking of Babri masjid in Ayodhya, and various other missteps during Rajiv Gandhi’s leadership that transformed India’s socio-political landscape. With its renewed availability in India, The Satanic Verses stands as a testament to literary freedom and the ongoing challenges posed by censorship.
In Episode 1579 of #CutTheClutter, ThePrint Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta looks back at his involvement in publishing Madhu Jain’s review of the book, leading to protests by Syed Shahabuddin, the ban on the book, and the revenge movie International Gorillay in Pakistan.
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