Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses Returns to Delhi Bookstores After 36 Years, Sparks Controversy
New Delhi – In a move that has reignited national debate, Salman Rushdie’s controversial novel The Satanic Verses is now available in Delhi bookstores, 36 years after it was banned in India. The Delhi High Court recently lifted restrictions on the book’s sale, allowing it to be freely available for purchase in the capital. However, the decision has reignited a heated political and religious controversy over its content, with critics accusing the book of blasphemy, while supporters defend it as an essential exercise in freedom of expression.
The History of The Satanic Verses Ban in India
Originally published in 1988, The Satanic Verses faced swift and intense backlash from various Muslim communities around the world, particularly for its portrayal of Islamic history and its controversial depiction of Prophet Muhammad. In India, the Rajiv Gandhi government moved to suspend the book’s import in 1989, citing the need to maintain public order amid growing protests and religious outrage.
Despite the government’s claim that the import was simply halted, many considered the move a censorship of free speech. At the time, it was seen as an attempt by Gandhi’s administration to placate religious sentiment and avoid further unrest. Critics, however, labeled it a regressive decision, highlighting how the government used the incident to divert attention from other pressing political issues like the Shah Bano case and the rise of Hindu-Muslim tensions.
The book’s ban remained in place for decades, with copies of The Satanic Verses remaining largely inaccessible in India. However, the recent Delhi High Court verdict permitting its release has once again put the book at the center of political and ideological discussions.
A Controversial Timing for the Book’s Return
The timing of the court’s ruling could not have been more politically charged. The book’s return to Indian bookstores coincides with the **birth centenary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a leader known for his stance on free speech and liberal values. Kanchan Gupta, an advisor to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, pointed out that the timing was especially poignant, with Vajpayee being an advocate for the freedom of expression.
Gupta emphasized Vajpayee’s quote: “The answer to a book you don’t like is a book you would endorse; the answer does not lie in either burning a book or proscribing it.” Gupta’s comments reflect the enduring debate over balancing religious sensitivities and freedom of expression in a democratic society.
Congress Defends the 1988 Ban, BJP Points Fingers
The Congress Party, which was in power when the ban was imposed, has once again found itself defending the actions of the Rajiv Gandhi government. A statement from the party clarified that the book was not banned outright but that its importation was restricted due to fears it could lead to widespread unrest. The Congress maintains that it was not attempting to suppress ideas but was merely acting in response to religious sensitivities at the time.
The BJP, on the other hand, has seized the opportunity to criticize Congress for its history of curbing free speech while also highlighting the opposition’s appeasement of minority groups. BJP leaders, including Kanchan Gupta, have pointed to this as an example of how the Congress has historically tried to balance religious votes with governance, claiming it was more focused on vote-bank politics than upholding the democratic values of free expression.
The BJP has used the book’s return to criticize Congress, drawing comparisons to the Emergency period in the 1970s, accusing the Congress of suppressing free speech for political expediency. This is especially poignant in light of recent controversies, such as the alleged violence involving Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and the BJP’s attempts to revive memories of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Religious Groups Speak Out Against the Book
Religious groups, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, have also voiced their opposition to the book’s availability. Maulana Kaab Rashidi, legal advisor for the Uttar Pradesh unit of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, condemned the court’s verdict, arguing that freedom of expression should not come at the expense of religious sentiment. Rashidi stated that the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression but that this freedom should not cause harm to the sentiments of religious communities.
Maulana Yasub Abbas, general secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, echoed similar concerns, urging the government to reinstate the ban on the grounds that the book mocks Islamic views and insults the Prophet Muhammad. Abbas argued that allowing the sale of such a book could fuel tensions and pose a threat to national harmony.
Public Reactions and Bookstore Sales
Despite the religious and political opposition, bookstores in Delhi have begun stocking The Satanic Verses, and the book has already seen a surge in sales. Many book lovers and supporters of freedom of expression view the availability of Rushdie’s work as a victory for intellectual autonomy and a stand against censorship. For these readers, the book is more than just a controversial piece of literature; it is a symbol of resistance to authoritarian control over thought and ideas.
However, for others, the reappearance of The Satanic Verses on bookstore shelves signals a troubling trend towards ignoring religious sensitivities in the name of free speech. The book remains a divisive symbol, and its return is likely to stoke tensions between competing ideologies in India.
Conclusion: A Continuing National Debate
The return of Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses to Indian bookstores is more than just a literary event; it has reopened a contentious chapter in India’s political history. With religious groups demanding that the book be banned once again and political parties using it as a tool in their ongoing ideological battle, the controversy surrounding the book’s availability is far from over.
As India grapples with questions of free speech versus religious sentiment, the sale of The Satanic Verses will undoubtedly continue to stir emotions, provoke discussions, and spark debates about the limits of freedom in a multicultural society.