British-Indian novelist Salman Rushdie’s controversial book ‘The Satanic Verses’ has quietly made a comeback in India after a ban of nearly 36 years. The book was banned by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1988. Now this book is available for sale with limited stock in Delhi’s reputed bookstore ‘Bahrisons Booksellers’.
Book returns and limited availability
Rajni Malhotra, owner of ‘Baharisons Booksellers’, said, “The book has been in stores for a few days now, and so far the response from readers has been fantastic. Sales are also going well.” The book is available at a price of Rs 1,999 and is currently being sold only in the Delhi-NCR region.
“Salman Rushdie’s ‘The Satanic Verses’ is now available at our store,” the store said in its social media post. This groundbreaking and thought-provoking book has captivated readers for decades with its adventurous story and bold themes. The novel has been the center of global controversy and debate since its release.”
Background of the controversy and ban on the book
‘The Satanic Verses’, published in 1988, faced intense opposition from Muslim communities across the world over its content. This was seen as blasphemy by many Islamic organizations. The protest was so intense that Iran’s leader Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for the killing of Rushdie and his publishers.
After this fatwa, Rushdie had to live in hiding for almost 10 years. There remained global concern about his safety. The controversy also led to several violent incidents, including the murder of his Japanese translator Hitoshi Igarashi and a fatal knife attack on Rushdie in 2022. He lost the sight of one eye in the knife attack.
Delhi High Court and ban situation
In November 2023, the Delhi High Court ceased hearing on a petition challenging the ban on book import. The court ended the proceedings saying that the government officials failed to submit notification of the ban. Therefore, it was deemed that the ban is no longer in effect.
Readers’ response and price of the book
Mixed reactions are coming from readers regarding the book. While some consider it a symbol of freedom of expression, many readers are unhappy about its price. Reputed bookstores like Delhi’s ‘Midland Book Shop’ and ‘Om Book Shop’ have distanced themselves from plans to import it.
Publisher and importance of book
Manasi Subramaniam, Editor-in-Chief, Penguin Random House India, shared a quote by Rushdie on the occasion, saying, “Language gives us courage, the ability to receive ideas and express them. It is through this courage that truth takes shape.”
New debate on freedom of expression after 36 years
The return of ‘The Satanic Verses’ to India has once again sparked a debate on the balance between freedom of expression, literature, and faith. The limited distribution of this book symbolizes that the controversy is not over yet.
However, it will be interesting to see how this historical book is accepted by Indian readers and whether it will be able to regain its place in the field of literature.
