Darul Uloom Deoband - the country's biggest Islamic seminary - demanded that the writer be denied entry.
Darul Uloom vice chancellor Maulana Abul Qasim Nu'mani, who had urged the Indian government to cancel Rushdie's visa, Tuesday demanded an apology from the writer for hurting Muslim sentiments.
"Rushdie has hurt Muslim sentiments. He should apologise to the entire Muslim ummah (society) for his blasphemous remarks against Islam and the Prophet. Only then we can allow him to travel to India," Nu'mani said.
Many Muslim leaders in Rajasthan have asked the government not to let Rushdie enter India.
Although there is no official announcement yet, sources said that the British Indian novelist may keep away from the Jan 20-24 event.
This comes as Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot told home minister P Chidambaram in Delhi that Rushdie's presence could spark off trouble.
Muslim groups have come out against the visit by Rushdie, whose novelThe Satanic Verses in 1988 led to major protests in many countries followed by a 'fatwa' by Iran's late leader Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989.
Organisers of the popular Jaipur Literature Festival admitted that Rushdie "will not attend" the first day of the event.
He was supposed to reach Jaipur on January 20 and address two literary sessions.
The event's producer Sanjay Roy said in a two-line statement: "Rushdie will not be in India Jan 20 due to a change in his schedule. The festival stands by its invitation to the author."
The organisers were mum over whether he will attend the festival or not.
Nearly 250 authors from the world, including celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, will take part in the festival.
"It is a famous festival. I am sure organisers ... would not want anything to happen that affects the whole festival. I hope we work out something so that things don't turn ugly," said Gehlot.
disunting dari harakah daily @ disiarkan pada 19 januari 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment