For the first time in 36 years, Salman Rushdie’s controversial novel The Satanic Verses has been made available for purchase in India. The historic move comes after a Delhi High Court decision questioned the validity of the ban initially imposed in 1988.
The Delhi High Court’s ruling highlighted procedural lapses in the original government ban, effectively empowering Indian publishers. Legal experts in the country have expressed confusion due to the lack of precedent for such a case. Nevertheless, the court’s decision has opened a path for The Satanic Verses to re-enter the Indian market.
The Indian government, led by then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, banned the import of “The Satanic Verses” on October 5, 1988. The decision came after strong protests from various Islamic groups who were outraged by the book’s content, which they believed insulted Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. The ban was seen as a move to prevent communal violence and maintain public order in a country with a significant Muslim population.
The novel, inspired by an episode in the life of Prophet Muhammad, sparked global outrage upon its release. It was banned in India following riots and opposition from Islamic groups. Adding to its infamy, Iranian leader Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against Rushdie, leading to violence against those associated with the book. The controversy included a Japanese translator’s murder, an arson attack in Turkey that claimed 37 lives, and, most recently, a 2022 stabbing attack on Rushdie himself, leaving him with life-altering injuries.
A Celebrated Yet Controversial Work
Despite the controversies, The Satanic Verses remains a seminal work in literature, earning accolades such as the Booker Prize. Earlier this year, Rushdie released a memoir titled Knife: Meditations After An Attempted Murder, reflecting on his life under the shadow of threats.
Bahrisons Booksellers’ announcement of the book’s availability triggered a wave of interest. On social media, the store revealed that copies were “selling out,” while inquiries poured in from potential readers across the country. Manasi Subramaniam, Editor-in-Chief at Penguin Random House India, also celebrated the development, sharing a poignant excerpt from the novel: “Language is courage: the ability to conceive a thought, to speak it, and by doing so to make it true.”
The reintroduction of The Satanic Verses has reignited debates about freedom of speech and religious sensitivity in India. Several Islamic groups have issued statements condemning the book’s release. The polarizing nature of the novel continues to fuel discussions on the balance between creative expression and societal harmony.
While Rushdie, who now resides in New York, has not commented on the development, the literary world views this as a victory for free expression. The novel’s return to Indian bookshelves marks a significant cultural and legal milestone, underscoring the enduring relevance of literature in shaping public discourse.