Salman Rushdie's controversial novel The Satanic Verses has made its return to India, 36 years after it was banned by the Rajiv Gandhi government. The novel, which has stirred global outrage and debates about free expression, has recently been available for sale at Bahrisons Booksellers, one of New Delhi's renowned bookstores. The owner, Rajni Malhotra, shared with PTI news agency, "The book has been selling well and the response from readers has been strong so far." The book is currently priced at Rs 1,999 and has generated significant interest from readers.
On social media, Bahrisons Booksellers characterized The Satanic Verses as a "groundbreaking & provocative novel"—one central to the discussion of artistic freedom and the limits of expression. Manasi Subramaniam, Editor-in-Chief at Penguin Random House India, echoed this sentiment. "At long last, The Satanic Verses is allowed to be sold in India after a 36-year ban," she said. Her excitement reflects the larger conversation surrounding the novel.
The Delhi High Court recently closed the proceedings on a petition challenging the 1988 ban on the book's import. The court noted the government's failure to provide the relevant banning notification, leading to the presumption it didn't exist. This legal turn has reignited discussions about censorship and the role of literature.
Initially released in 1988, The Satanic Verses faced backlash primarily for its portrayal of Islamic figures and references to the Prophet Muhammad, prompting Iranian leader Ruhollah Khomeini to issue a fatwa calling for Rushdie's death. Following the fatwa, many protests erupted globally, resulting in violence, including the murder of Rushdie’s Japanese translator, Hitoshi Igarashi, who was killed by unknown attackers. Rushdie himself spent nearly ten years living under heavy security, and as recently as August 12, 2022, he was attacked on stage during a lecture, leaving him blind in one eye.
The re-entry of The Satanic Verses has reignited long-standing controversies. Some Islamic scholars have expressed vehement opposition to the sale of the book. Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi, National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, stated, "This book insults Islam, Prophet Muhammad, and several Islamic figures. Its content is so offensive..." Similar sentiments were echoed by Maulana Yasood Abbas, General Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, who urged careful dialogue before allowing the sale of such contentious material.
Maulana Kaab Rashidi, legal advisor for the Uttar Pradesh unit of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, expressed concerns about the book's return: "If freedom of expression hurts someone's sentiments, it is a legal offence. The Satanic Verses is a blasphemous book; selling such books cannot be accepted." This response underlines the fine line between upholding artistic freedom and maintaining respect for religious convictions.
Supporters of the book’s availability argue against censorship, asserting it conflicts with democratic ideals and the principles of free speech. The underlying question remains: Can society reconcile creative freedom with sensitivity toward religious sentiments? The return of The Satanic Verses serves as both a reflection of this tension and as a potent case study of the cultural impact of literature.
The timing of the book’s availability also bears discussion. Its reappearance coincides with significant political contexts and renewed scrutiny of the legacy of Rajiv Gandhi’s decisions during the late 1980s. Interestingly, some commentators view this moment as part of a larger narrative around the freedom of expression, with statements from BJP officials like Kanchan Gupta emphasizing the importance of discourse over banning literature. Gupta remarked, "The answer to a book you don’t like is another book you would endorse; the answer does not lie in burning or banning books." These reflections encapsulate the challenging dialogue about government intervention, freedom, and the responsibility to promote diverse opinions.
The return of The Satanic Verses to bookstores has the potential to spark new discussions about literary freedom, censorship, and the societal impact of artistic expression. Whether this offering will remain available or face renewed legal challenges is uncertain, but its presence on the shelves has reaffirmed the relevance of these debates within contemporary society.
