[$tinkle]

Rushdie Video Talk Blocked From India Book Festival

Novelist Salman Rushdie was denied permission to address the Jaipur Literature Festival through a video link, festival organizers said Tuesday just before the event, citing security concerns.

Worries mounted throughout the day—the last of the five-day festival—that planned protests over the appearance of Mr. Rushdie would turn violent. The author is reviled among many Indian Muslims for his 1988 novel "The Satanic Verses," which they consider blasphemous.

alternate title: "Cisco Narrowly Avoids Fatwa"

 

[Pesqueeb]

One day I must read Satanic Verses.

 

[stevew]

One day I must read Satanic Verses.

allah sucks a dick?

 

[Je3Re3My]

I can't get behind the Gods, who are more vengeful, angry, and dangerous if you don't believe in them!

-Captain Kirk

 

[MikeD]

The craziest thing is that Satanic Verses is NOT an offensive book. Like a million other artsy novels it builds off a religious story; it's just that when you pick Islam to riff off of, people start trying to kill you.

He's not even commenting on Islam in any way, IMHO...it's just that he invents an alternate history of Mohammed. Done in the service of literature, not religion, even.


India's ideas concerning free speech don't match that of most developed countries. In fact, I censored what I was going to write here, given how they're scanning the Internet looking for content critical of the government.

Coincidentally, I'm going to Rajastan next week, but thankfully just to ride my motorcycle around.

 

[kidwoo]

In fact, I censored what I was going to write here, given how they're scanning the Internet looking for content critical of the government.

Something deep like which castes eat beef curry I assume.

 

[syadasti]

Something deep like which castes eat beef curry I assume.

Most Hindus don't eat beef period.

 

[$tinkle]

mmm....beef period....