Jaipur Literature Festival: Rushdie’s video address cancelled

It's been a dramatic and to many a disappointing end at the Jaipur Literature Festival with Booker winner Salman Rushdie not even being allowed to go through with his virtual participation.

The Jaipur Literature Festival turned out to be nothing less a nightmare for writer Salman Rushdie, whose participation in the literary event was hugely debated and who was subsequently denied permission to address the gathering through a video conference.


The controversial writer took to Twitter to express deep resentment over the government’s involvement in not letting him take part in this year’s Jaipur Lit Fest following protests from activists over his banned book ‘The Satanic Verses’.

Rushdie wrote, “#JLF Threat of violence by Muslim groups stifled free speech today. In a true democracy all get to speak, not just the ones making threats.”

He also wrote, "#JLF Videolink cancellation: awful.(sic)".

Announcing the cancellation of Rushdie`s address, one of the organisers Sanjay Roy said police had told them that people had got inside the venue to "disrupt proceedings" and cause violence.

"Some organisations have threatened violence. This is unfortunate, but necessary to avoid violence. It is a fairly idiotic situation. We are once again stepping down from the fight for freedom of expression. We have been pushed to the wall again," Roy said.

"It is unfortunate that we are being bullied again and we had to step down...We had no other way but to listen to save the people here, our children and everyone here," he added.

Lit Fest: Will Rushdie’s video link suffer blackout?

Looks like Salman Rushdie fans are in for a disappointment. The controversial author was scheduled to address the Jaipur Literature Festival 2012 live via video conferencing on Tuesday. But sources claim that Rajasthan Government might play spoil sport and not allow the event to take place.

Earlier, the government also did not allow the Booker prize winning author to visit the festival as it feared law and order situation owing to Rushdie’s controversial status. Rushdie, who was disappointed at not being able to attend the festival, was hopeful that he would be able to video conference. But now, that too seems unlikely.

Speaking to a news channel, Jaipur Police Commissioner BL Soni said, “We don’t have have any information about any video conferencing with Salman Rushdie. We will have to legally examine it.”

Sources at the Rajasthan Home Ministry said that they would need to examine the theme and the topic of the video first to ensure that no reference to the controversial novel ‘Satanic Verses’ is made in the conference.

However, the festival organisers claimed that everything was on track and Rushdie would be conferencing live.

Jaipur Literature Festival organiser Sanjoy Roy said, “I have got no such information, will wait to say it in writing. We are in talks with the Police Commissioner.”

There has been huge amount of controversy and debate over Rushdie’s visit to the Pink City for the lit fest. Numerous Islamic groups protested against his visit and the author was asked to stay away by the Rajasthan government owing to law and order situation. Rushdie has had a fatwa issued against him in 1998 for his book ‘Satanic Verses’.

Rushdie to address Jaipur Lit Fest via video conference

Latest reports coming from Jaipur Literature Festival confirm that Salman Rushdie would hold a video conference tomorrow at 3: 45 pm.

The Booker prize winner has finally decided to address the Jaipur Literature Festival via video link straight from New York.

The organisers of the lit fest have asked the author to back off following protests from Islamist groups.

Anticipating trouble, the Rajasthan government asked the organizers to request Rushdie to call of his visit to India.

Sources state that the Rajasthan government felt that Rushdie’s visit would be a security threat for the state especially after certain radical groups raised objection over his visit.

However, now the organizers have confirmed that the writer will address a video conference to clear all air.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Home Ministry sources said that the Literature Festival organisers have not contacted them on Rushdie using video conferencing to address the event. The sources said that the Festival organiser will have to get permission for allowing Rushdie to use the video link.

Sources also confirmed that the state government would give their nod only after Rushdie assures that he would not use any reference from his book `The Satanic Verses`.

Earlier, four authors who read excerpts from Rusdhie`s `The Satanic Verses` left the Jaipur Literature Festival amidst speculation that they may be arrested if they stayed on.

British novelist Salman Rushdie cancelled his trip to India

Controversial author Salman Rushdie has confirmed that he would not be attending the Jaipur Literature Festival. The festival which kicked off today in the capital city of Rajasthan, was to host the noted author on two days during the festival.

In a statement, Rushdie said that he had got intelligence reports from Mumbai and Rajasthan police that paid assassins were on their way to Jaipur.

Festival organisers read out the statement by the Booker Prize winning author, which said, "For several days I have made no public comments on this issue at the request of local authorities hoping that they would put in place arrangements to allow me to come and speak.

"But I have been informed by intelligence sources in Maharashtra and Rajasthan that paid assassins from Mumbai underworld might be on their way to eliminate me. While I have doubts about these intelligence inputs, it would be irresponsible for me to come and endanger the life of fellow authors and others," the 64-year-old author said.

Ever since the news of Rushdie visit to the lit fest broke out, several Islamic groups have been protesting against his visit. Fearing law and order situation in the state, Rajasthan Chief Minister asked the organizers of the festival to ask Rushdie to cancel his trip to India.

Even though, the events in which Rushdie was to participate were cancelled, there were rumours that he would be attending the writer’s ball.

A disappointed Rushdie tweeted, ""Very sad not to be at jaipur. I was told bombay mafia don issued weapons to 2 hitmen to 'eliminate' me. Will do video link instead. Damn.(sic)"

Jaipur literary festival begins today, visit Salman Rushdie

While mystery still surrounds the visit of Salman Rushdie, the Jaipur Literature Festival will kick off today with an array of international and Indian writers and global celebrities including TV mogul Oprah Winfrey.

They also refused to spell out whether or not he would visit the festival at all.

The organisers also held a meeting with representatives of some Muslim organisations to exchange point of views over the issue but to no avail.

"As of now we are not sure of his (Rushdie`s) schedule of arrival. He will not be here for the next couple of days as stated earlier. We, however, stand by our invitation, we have not rescinded it," said festival producer Sanjoy K Roy, who refused to take any other question on the Rushdie affair.

"Apart from this there is no other status to offer you for now," he told reporters at a press conference.

Roy said the festival representatives had conveyed to the group of Muslim organisations in the meeting that they had always stood for freedom of expression and continue to do so.

"Our festival has also always stood by the issues of the minority communities and other sections. We allow free speech as long as it is done in a peaceful way," Roy said.

As the Muslim organisations, who have made known their opposition to Rushdie`s visit, said they would hold a protest if he attended the festival, Roy conceded that the festival organisers too were worried about the security issue.

He, however, said it was unfortunate that the Rushdie issue had overshadowed the other aspects of the festival. "This is idiotic. This is a non-story being made into a story," a visibly agitated Roy said.