India Ban On Salman Rushdie's 'Satanic Verses' May Ease On Legal Loophole: 'Have No Other Option Except To...'


(MENAFN- Live Mint) Salman Rushdie's controversial 1988 novel The Satanic Verses could become available in India for the first time in decades after a court in Delhi said the government was unable to produce the original notification document that banned imports of the book.

“We have no other option except to presume that no such notification exists,” the Delhi High Court said in an order earlier this week in a case brought by a prospective book buyer who questioned India's ban.

Also Read | Absolutely no reason why Kamala Harris should not win: Salman Rushdie

Many Muslims considered Rushdie's book blasphemous because of its portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad. It was banned by several countries, and in 1989, Iran's Supreme Leader issued a“fatwa” death order for the author and his publishers. India, while mostly Hindu, has the world's third-largest Muslim population at around 200 million. It blocked imports of the book through a notification passed in 1988.

Also Read | Salman Rushdie's gripping take on being stabbed

Five years ago, a man who wanted to buy the book filed a petition urging an Indian court to examine the correctness of the import ban . But during the course of the litigation, none of the authorities were able to produce the original notification, prompting the court to say it couldn't examine the validity of the document, which is now presumed to not exist.

Also Read | Salman Rushdie's 'Knife': The aftermath of an attack

The court ruled that the petitioner is now“entitled to take all actions in respect of the said book as available in law,” which could pave the way for bringing the book to India.

MENAFN08112024007365015876ID1108864511


Live Mint

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Newsletter