Indian-born booker prize winner and author Salman Rushdie was stabbed in the neck at an event in New York. He was rushed to the local hospital and the attacker is in police custody.

Author Salman Rushdie attacked in the US, likely to lose one eye

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Salman Rushdie Attack: 'News is not good', police detain 24-year-old suspect

<p>For over 30 years, celebrated author Salman Rushdie has been covering his life ever since Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against him following the publication of his controversial book ‘The Satanic Verses’, which was found to be blasphemous by the Muslims.</p>

<p>Friday’s knife attack in New York brings back the focus on the book and what led to the death threats made against the Indian-born author.</p>

<p><strong>The Satanic Verses and controversy </strong></p>

<p>The book was published in September 1988 and immediately stoked controversy around the world and among the Muslim community.</p>

<p>Several Muslim countries immediately banned the book, which was also&nbsp;burned during demonstrations in the UK, Pakistan and elsewhere. The book is still banned in a number of countries including UAE, India, and Egypt.</p>

<p>The book is considered by many Muslims to be blasphemous as it portrayed a fictionalised version of the Prophet Mohammed and an interpretation of the Quran.</p>

<p>It has references to some Quran verses, as alleged by some scholars, that allow for prayers to be made to three pagan goddesses, contrary to Islam’s strict belief that there is only one God.</p>

<p>In the novel, Rushdie mentions the involvement of a prophet closely resembling the founder of Islam, Muhammad.</p>

<p>In that, he says that this prophet is tricked into striking a deal with Satan in which he exchanges some of his monotheistic dogmatism in favour of the three goddesses. He then realises his error.</p>

<p>Khomeini and others assert he had portrayed the prophet irreverently.</p>

<p><strong>The fatwa</strong></p>

<p>Iran’s Khomeini issued a fatwa ordering on Feb. 14, 1989, ordering Muslims to kill Rushdie.</p>

<p>According to history.com, a fatwa can only be repealed by that same scholar, and Ruhollah Khomeini died in the same year he issued the call.</p>

<p>The then Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi banned the import of the book in October 1988, hoping to win Muslim support ahead of elections. Some 20 countries went on to ban it.</p>

<p><strong>Attacks on translators and publishers </strong></p>

<p>‘The Satanic Verses’ has also caused trouble for those who translated the novel.</p>

<p>Ettore Capriolo, the Italian translator of the novel, was injured in a stabbing in Milan in 1991.</p>

<p>A Japanese scholar and translator of Rushdie’s novel, Hitoshi Igarashi, was stabbed to death in 1991.</p>

<p>William Nygaard, the Norwegian publisher of the book, was shot three times in Oslo in 1993, but managed to survive.</p>

<p><strong>After the fatwa</strong></p>

<p>Rushdie went into hiding for 10 years under an alias. He was living in UK at the time. He was also given 24-hour police protection by former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s government.</p>

<p>Rushdie gradually emerged from his underground life in 1991.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/police-identify-man-who-stabbed-salman-rushdie-suspect-has-sympathies-toward-iranian-government-506375" hreflang="en">Salman Rushdie on ventilator after attack, police identify man who stabbed him</a></p>

<p>By 1998, Iran’s reformist government under president Mohammad Khatami assured Britain that Iran would not implement the fatwa.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/salman-rushdies-attacker-who-is-hadi-matar-506379" hreflang="en">Salman Rushdie's attacker: Who is Hadi Matar?</a></p>

<p>But in 2015, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Khomeini’s successor, said that he still believed Rushdie was an apostate whose killing would be authorised by Islam.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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For over 30 years, celebrated author Salman Rushdie has been covering his life ever since Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against him following the publication of his controversial book ‘The Satanic Verses’, which was found to be blasphemous by the Muslims.

For over 30 years, celebrated author Salman Rushdie has been covering his life ever since Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against him following the publication of his controversial book ‘The Satanic Verses’, which was found to be blasphemous by the Muslims. Friday’s knife attack in New York brings back the focus on the book and what led to the death threats made against the Indian-born author. The Satanic Verses and controversy The book was published in September 1988 and immediately stoked controversy around the world and among the Muslim community. Several Muslim countries immediately banned the book, which was also burned during demonstrations in the UK, Pakistan and elsewhere. The book is still banned in a number of countries including UAE, India, and Egypt. The book is considered by many Muslims to be blasphemous as it portrayed a fictionalised version of the Prophet Mohammed and an interpretation of the Quran. It has references to some Quran verses, as alleged by some scholars, that allow for prayers to be made to three pagan goddesses, contrary to Islam’s strict belief that there is only one God. In the novel, Rushdie mentions the involvement of a prophet closely resembling the founder of Islam, Muhammad. In that, he says that this prophet is tricked into striking a deal with Satan in which he exchanges some of his monotheistic dogmatism in favour of the three goddesses. He then realises his error. Khomeini and others assert he had portrayed the prophet irreverently. The fatwa Iran’s Khomeini issued a fatwa ordering on Feb. 14, 1989, ordering Muslims to kill Rushdie. According to history.com, a fatwa can only be repealed by that same scholar, and Ruhollah Khomeini died in the same year he issued the call. The then Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi banned the import of the book in October 1988, hoping to win Muslim support ahead of elections. Some 20 countries went on to ban it. Attacks on translators and publishers ‘The Satanic Verses’ has also caused trouble for those who translated the novel. Ettore Capriolo, the Italian translator of the novel, was injured in a stabbing in Milan in 1991. A Japanese scholar and translator of Rushdie’s novel, Hitoshi Igarashi, was stabbed to death in 1991. William Nygaard, the Norwegian publisher of the book, was shot three times in Oslo in 1993, but managed to survive. After the fatwa Rushdie went into hiding for 10 years under an alias. He was living in UK at the time. He was also given 24-hour police protection by former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s government. Rushdie gradually emerged from his underground life in 1991. Also read | Salman Rushdie on ventilator after attack, police identify man who stabbed him By 1998, Iran’s reformist government under president Mohammad Khatami assured Britain that Iran would not implement the fatwa. Also read | Salman Rushdie's attacker: Who is Hadi Matar? But in 2015, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Khomeini’s successor, said that he still believed Rushdie was an apostate whose killing would be authorised by Islam. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Why was Salman Rushdie attacked and what is the controversy surrounding ‘The Satanic Verses’?

<p>Renowned Indian-born novelist Salman Rushdie had to be rushed to the hospital, after being attacked while on stage at an event in New York.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As Rushdie was being presented to make a speech on artistic freedom at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York state, a guy allegedly charged the stage and stabbed Rushdie.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The author sustained a neck wound from a stabbing, according to eyewitness testimony and a statement from the city's police.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Salman Rushdie stabbed in New York</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-salman-rushdie-stabbed-in-new-york-506354/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Police said that an on-site state trooper apprehended the perpetrator and took him into custody.</p>

<p>While police provided no information regarding the suspect's name or any possible motive, the attack on Rushdie is rumoured to have been carried out by an Islamic fanatic.</p>

<p>Rushdie, who himself belongs to a Muslim family came under fire for his fourth novel, "The Satanic Verses". Reportedly, he even received death threats over passages which some Muslims claim as being blasphemous.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/author-salman-rushdie-attacked-on-stage-during-event-in-new-york-506314" hreflang="en">Salman Rushdie stabbed: New York governor says he's alive, being treated at hospital</a></strong></p>

<p>Upon its release in 1988, the book was outlawed in many nations with sizable Muslim populations.</p>

<p>A year later, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the supreme leader of Iran at the time, issued a fatwa, or religious decree, calling on Muslims to execute the author for blasphemy.</p>

<p>There is no information on his condition. However, New York governor Kathy Hochul has confirmed that he was alive.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you to the swift response of <a href="https://twitter.com/nyspolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nyspolice</a> &amp; first responders following today's attack of author Salman Rushdie.<br />
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Our thoughts are with Salman &amp; his loved ones following this horrific event. I have directed State Police to further assist however needed in the investigation.</p>
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovKathyHochul/status/1558122292374372355?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Taking to Twitter she hailed Rushdie as "an individual who has spent decades speaking truth to power," and said, "We condemn all violence, and we want people to be able to feel (the) freedom to speak and to write truth."</p>

<p>Ever since the news of the attack broke, there has been an outpouring of prayers for the injured author.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I just learned that Salman Rushdie was attacked in New York. I am really shocked. I never thought it would happen. He has been living in the West, and he has been protected since 1989. If he is attacked, anyone who is critical of Islam can be attacked. I am worried.</p>
— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) <a href="https://twitter.com/taslimanasreen/status/1558120454312734720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Appalled that Sir Salman Rushdie has been stabbed while exercising a right we should never cease to defend.<br />
<br />
Right now my thoughts are with his loved ones. We are all hoping he is okay.</p>
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1558148605206298624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Shocked and appalled to hear of the unprovoked and senseless attack on Sir Salman Rushdie. Freedom of expression is a value we hold dear and attempts to undermine it must not be tolerated. My thoughts are with Sir Salman and his family.</p>
— Priti Patel (@pritipatel) <a href="https://twitter.com/pritipatel/status/1558148270110789634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I hope Salman Rushdie is okay.</p>
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) <a href="https://twitter.com/StephenKing/status/1558116416301273088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prayers for Salman Rushdie… <a href="https://t.co/bvlP4BgUDp">https://t.co/bvlP4BgUDp</a></p>
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) <a href="https://twitter.com/marwilliamson/status/1558122815802441731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I'm shocked and distressed to see my friend <a href="https://twitter.com/SalmanRushdie?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SalmanRushdie</a> has been attacked before a talk. He's a good man and a brilliant one and I hope he's okay. <a href="https://t.co/URkHxLGE7o">https://t.co/URkHxLGE7o</a></p>
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) <a href="https://twitter.com/neilhimself/status/1558123460722843650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I was there 2 weeks ago giving a talk. It's a lovely place with a fantastic, curious and welcoming community. This is shocking. I hope Salman Rushdie isn't injured and can recover and heal quickly. How disgusting. <a href="https://t.co/mBGPg0WBtH">https://t.co/mBGPg0WBtH</a></p>
— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) <a href="https://twitter.com/WajahatAli/status/1558114293132021762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist."<br />
-Salman Rushdie. Holding thoughts for you today. <a href="https://t.co/eTpsGm31du">pic.twitter.com/eTpsGm31du</a></p>
— Scott Simon (@nprscottsimon) <a href="https://twitter.com/nprscottsimon/status/1558121316556935168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I condemn the murderous attack on writer <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SalmanRushdie?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SalmanRushdie</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewYork?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewYork</a> . It is a dastardly and heinous attack. All right thinking people must deplore this act. I pray for his early recovery. <a href="https://twitter.com/SalmanRushdie?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SalmanRushdie</a></p>
— Rajat Sharma (@RajatSharmaLive) <a href="https://twitter.com/RajatSharmaLive/status/1558134568544190466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thoughts and prayers for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SalmanRushdie?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SalmanRushdie</a><br />
Shameful, condemnable and dastardly this attack! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SalmanRushdieStabbed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SalmanRushdieStabbed</a></p>
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) <a href="https://twitter.com/ReallySwara/status/1558136804473126913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The attack on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SalmanRushdie?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SalmanRushdie</a> in New York is cowardly , disturbing &amp; disgusting . Those doing this on the name of religion are nothing short of terrorists . This violence must end ! <a href="https://t.co/eLYNvsKwku">https://t.co/eLYNvsKwku</a></p>
— Tehseen Poonawalla Official 🇮🇳 (@tehseenp) <a href="https://twitter.com/tehseenp/status/1558121715099930626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sar tan se juda crowd never forgets, never forgives. Unless this slogan is defined as terrorism by civilized world, no one ever will be safe. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SalmanRushdie?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SalmanRushdie</a></p>
— Sunanda Vashisht (@sunandavashisht) <a href="https://twitter.com/sunandavashisht/status/1558137726440013828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Get well, dear Salman Rushdie! Your words are stronger than their weapons, therefore they attack you. Your words will stay and their screams and illusions will fade way one day. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/salmanrushdie?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#salmanrushdie</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Salman_Rushdie?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Salman_Rushdie</a> <a href="https://t.co/65gOnK8ksa">pic.twitter.com/65gOnK8ksa</a></p>
— Hamed Abdel-Samad (@hamed_samad) <a href="https://twitter.com/hamed_samad/status/1558138401685135360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Attack on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SalmanRushdie?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SalmanRushdie</a> is horrible<br />
<br />
it’s an attack on the foundation of freedom and democracy<br />
<br />
Such attacks need to be condemned in one voice<br />
<br />
ideology that cause such attacks need to be curbed decisively<br />
<br />
Praying for fast recovery of the brave Salman Rushdie</p>
— Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishra_IND) <a href="https://twitter.com/KapilMishra_IND/status/1558124500775972864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Renowned Indian-born novelist Salman Rushdie had to be rushed to the hospital, after being attacked while on stage at an event in New York. As Rushdie was being presented to make a speech on artistic freedom at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York state, a guy allegedly charged the stage and stabbed Rushdie.

Renowned Indian-born novelist Salman Rushdie had to be rushed to the hospital, after being attacked while on stage at an event in New York. As Rushdie was being presented to make a speech on artistic freedom at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York state, a guy allegedly charged the stage and stabbed Rushdie. The author sustained a neck wound from a stabbing, according to eyewitness testimony and a statement from the city's police. Watch | Gravitas: Salman Rushdie stabbed in New York Police said that an on-site state trooper apprehended the perpetrator and took him into custody. While police provided no information regarding the suspect's name or any possible motive, the attack on Rushdie is rumoured to have been carried out by an Islamic fanatic. Rushdie, who himself belongs to a Muslim family came under fire for his fourth novel, "The Satanic Verses". Reportedly, he even received death threats over passages which some Muslims claim as being blasphemous. Also read | Salman Rushdie stabbed: New York governor says he's alive, being treated at hospital Upon its release in 1988, the book was outlawed in many nations with sizable Muslim populations. A year later, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the supreme leader of Iran at the time, issued a fatwa, or religious decree, calling on Muslims to execute the author for blasphemy. There is no information on his condition. However, New York governor Kathy Hochul has confirmed that he was alive. Thank you to the swift response of @nyspolice & first responders following today's attack of author Salman Rushdie. Our thoughts are with Salman & his loved ones following this horrific event. I have directed State Police to further assist however needed in the investigation. — Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) August 12, 2022 × Taking to Twitter she hailed Rushdie as "an individual who has spent decades speaking truth to power," and said, "We condemn all violence, and we want people to be able to feel (the) freedom to speak and to write truth." Ever since the news of the attack broke, there has been an outpouring of prayers for the injured author. I just learned that Salman Rushdie was attacked in New York. I am really shocked. I never thought it would happen. He has been living in the West, and he has been protected since 1989. If he is attacked, anyone who is critical of Islam can be attacked. I am worried. — taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) August 12, 2022 × Appalled that Sir Salman Rushdie has been stabbed while exercising a right we should never cease to defend. Right now my thoughts are with his loved ones. We are all hoping he is okay. — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 12, 2022 × Shocked and appalled to hear of the unprovoked and senseless attack on Sir Salman Rushdie. Freedom of expression is a value we hold dear and attempts to undermine it must not be tolerated. My thoughts are with Sir Salman and his family. — Priti Patel (@pritipatel) August 12, 2022 × I hope Salman Rushdie is okay. — Stephen King (@StephenKing) August 12, 2022 × Prayers for Salman Rushdie… https://t.co/bvlP4BgUDp — Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) August 12, 2022 × I'm shocked and distressed to see my friend @SalmanRushdie has been attacked before a talk. He's a good man and a brilliant one and I hope he's okay. https://t.co/URkHxLGE7o — Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) August 12, 2022 × I was there 2 weeks ago giving a talk. It's a lovely place with a fantastic, curious and welcoming community. This is shocking. I hope Salman Rushdie isn't injured and can recover and heal quickly. How disgusting. https://t.co/mBGPg0WBtH — Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) August 12, 2022 × "What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist." -Salman Rushdie. Holding thoughts for you today. pic.twitter.com/eTpsGm31du — Scott Simon (@nprscottsimon) August 12, 2022 × I condemn the murderous attack on writer #SalmanRushdie in #NewYork . It is a dastardly and heinous attack. All right thinking people must deplore this act. I pray for his early recovery. @SalmanRushdie — Rajat Sharma (@RajatSharmaLive) August 12, 2022 × Thoughts and prayers for #SalmanRushdie Shameful, condemnable and dastardly this attack! #SalmanRushdieStabbed — Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) August 12, 2022 × The attack on #SalmanRushdie in New York is cowardly , disturbing & disgusting . Those doing this on the name of religion are nothing short of terrorists . This violence must end ! https://t.co/eLYNvsKwku — Tehseen Poonawalla Official 🇮🇳 (@tehseenp) August 12, 2022 × Sar tan se juda crowd never forgets, never forgives. Unless this slogan is defined as terrorism by civilized world, no one ever will be safe. #SalmanRushdie — Sunanda Vashisht (@sunandavashisht) August 12, 2022 × Get well, dear Salman Rushdie! Your words are stronger than their weapons, therefore they attack you. Your words will stay and their screams and illusions will fade way one day. #salmanrushdie #Salman_Rushdie pic.twitter.com/65gOnK8ksa — Hamed Abdel-Samad (@hamed_samad) August 12, 2022 × Attack on #SalmanRushdie is horrible it’s an attack on the foundation of freedom and democracy Such attacks need to be condemned in one voice ideology that cause such attacks need to be curbed decisively Praying for fast recovery of the brave Salman Rushdie — Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishra_IND) August 12, 2022 × (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Salman Rushdie attack reactions: 'Your words are stronger than their weapons, therefore they attack you'

February 14 in History: From Pulwama terror attacks to creation of YouTube

<p>Five Indian authors and their work feature in BBC's list of 100 novels that shaped our world.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The British Broadcasting Corporation put together a panel comprising of leading writers, curators and critics to compile the list.<br />
Arundhati Roy's 'The God Of Small Things', Salman Rushdie's 'The Moor’s Last Sigh', RK Narayan's 'Swami and Friends', Vikram Seth's 'A Suitable Boy', and VS Naipaul's 'A House For Mr Biswas' feature in the esteemed list.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The books were divided into 10 categories – identity, love, sex and romance, adventure, life, death and other worlds, politics, power and protest, class and society, coming of age, family and friendship, crime and conflict and rule-breakers.<br />
<br />
Other South-Asian authors who feature in the list are Pakistani writers Kamila Shamsie and Mohsin Hamid for their books 'Home Fire' and 'The Reluctant Fundamentalist'.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The panel comprised of authors Juno Dawson, Kit de Waal and Alexander McCall Smith, journalist Mariella Frostrup, Stig Abell, editor of the Times Literary Supplement and&nbsp;Syima Aslam, director of the Bradford literature festival.</p>


Five Indian authors and their work feature in BBC's list of 100 novels that shaped our world. The British Broadcasting Corporation put together a panel comprising of leading writers, curators and critics to compile the list.

Five Indian authors and their work feature in BBC's list of 100 novels that shaped our world. The British Broadcasting Corporation put together a panel comprising of leading writers, curators and critics to compile the list. Arundhati Roy's 'The God Of Small Things', Salman Rushdie's 'The Moor’s Last Sigh', RK Narayan's 'Swami and Friends', Vikram Seth's 'A Suitable Boy', and VS Naipaul's 'A House For Mr Biswas' feature in the esteemed list. The books were divided into 10 categories – identity, love, sex and romance, adventure, life, death and other worlds, politics, power and protest, class and society, coming of age, family and friendship, crime and conflict and rule-breakers. Other South-Asian authors who feature in the list are Pakistani writers Kamila Shamsie and Mohsin Hamid for their books 'Home Fire' and 'The Reluctant Fundamentalist'. The panel comprised of authors Juno Dawson, Kit de Waal and Alexander McCall Smith, journalist Mariella Frostrup, Stig Abell, editor of the Times Literary Supplement and Syima Aslam, director of the Bradford literature festival.

Arundhati Roy, Salman Rushdie, RK Narayan's books feature in BBC’s 100 ‘novels that shaped our world’ list

<p>Six books have been shortlisted for Booker Prize 2019. Among the six shortlisted authors, four are women. Margaret Atwood, Lucy Ellmann, Bernardine Evaristo and Elif Shafak have been nominated along with two men- Chigozie Obioma and former Booker winner Salman Rushdie.<br />
<br />
The shortlisted writers represent six different countries: Canada, India, Nigeria, Turkey, and the UK.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The jury that comprises of Peter Florence (chair), Afua Hirsch, Liz Calder, Xiaolu Guo, and Joanna MacGregor will announce the winner on October 14. The prize money is £50,000.<br />
<br />
According to the chairperson, Petre Florence, the works have been shortlisted for showing 'extraordinary ambition.'</p>

<p>"There is an abundance of humour, of political and cultural engagement, of stylistic daring and astonishing beauty of language. Like all great literature, these books teem with life, with a profound and celebratory humanity," Florence added.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Here is the full list of the books that have been shortlisted:&nbsp;<br />
<br />
'The Testaments' &nbsp;by Margaret Atwood<br />
<br />
'Ducks, Newburyport' by Lucy Ellmann<br />
<br />
'Girl, Woman, Other' by Bernardine Evaristo<br />
<br />
'An Orchestra of Minorities' by Chigozie Obioma<br />
<br />
'Quichotte' by Salman Rushdie<br />
<br />
'10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World' by Elif Shafak</p>


Six books have been shortlisted for Booker Prize 2019. Among the six shortlisted authors, four are women. Margaret Atwood, Lucy Ellmann, Bernardine Evaristo and Elif Shafak have been nominated along with two men- Chigozie Obioma and former Booker winner Salman Rushdie.

Six books have been shortlisted for Booker Prize 2019. Among the six shortlisted authors, four are women. Margaret Atwood, Lucy Ellmann, Bernardine Evaristo and Elif Shafak have been nominated along with two men- Chigozie Obioma and former Booker winner Salman Rushdie. The shortlisted writers represent six different countries: Canada, India, Nigeria, Turkey, and the UK. The jury that comprises of Peter Florence (chair), Afua Hirsch, Liz Calder, Xiaolu Guo, and Joanna MacGregor will announce the winner on October 14. The prize money is £50,000. According to the chairperson, Petre Florence, the works have been shortlisted for showing 'extraordinary ambition.' "There is an abundance of humour, of political and cultural engagement, of stylistic daring and astonishing beauty of language. Like all great literature, these books teem with life, with a profound and celebratory humanity," Florence added. Here is the full list of the books that have been shortlisted: 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood 'Ducks, Newburyport' by Lucy Ellmann 'Girl, Woman, Other' by Bernardine Evaristo 'An Orchestra of Minorities' by Chigozie Obioma 'Quichotte' by Salman Rushdie '10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World' by Elif Shafak

Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie and four others shortlisted for Booker Prize 2019

<p>Thirty years after Iran called for the killing of Salman Rushdie, the British novelist remains a figure of hate for extremists across the Muslim world, and though the level of outrage has dropped, the issue of blasphemy is as incendiary as ever.</p>

<p>Rushdie's novel "The Satanic Verses" triggered mass protests from London to Islamabad and, analysts say, closed down the space for debate around Islam in a way that still resonates today.</p>

<p>Iran's spiritual leader, the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued the fatwa calling for Rushdie's murder on February 14, 1989.</p>

<p>A day earlier thousands of protesters enraged by the novel's publication had attacked the American Cultural Centre in Islamabad. Five people were killed in the ensuing clashes with police.</p>

<p>Pakistani journalist Shahid ur Rehman told AFP he was among the first to arrive on the scene that day and watched as men stormed the roof of the centre and pulled down its American flag while police fired tear gas, then live bullets.</p>

<p>Rehman said the novel came as a rude shock to a Muslim world which was "basking in glory".</p>

<p>The Iranian revolution was just a decade old and the Soviet Union was on the verge of a collapse after being driven out of Afghanistan by the US-backed mujahideen, with Muslims in general and Pakistan, in particular, claiming credit for the defeat of an empire.</p>

<p>Rushdie's novel and the fatwa which followed were "like a dam breaking", Rehman said.</p>

<p>Today, the novelist is "hated as much... As he was hated back then", said Pakistani religious scholar Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi.</p>

<p>But "people cannot protest consecutively for 30 years," he added.<br />
Anger over blasphemy remains effervescent among Islamic hardliners, however.</p>

<p>In the last ten years in Pakistan, politicians have been assassinated, European countries threatened with nuclear annihilation and students lynched over the issue.</p>

<p>The case of Asia Bibi -- a Christian woman whose death sentence for blasphemy was overturned in Pakistan last year, sparking days of violence and drawing global attention to religious extremism in the South Asian country -- is just the latest example.</p>

<p>Ashrafi said the publication of the novel "justified" laws against blasphemy -- without them, he argued, "people like Rushdie will keep hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims".</p>

<p>Even calls to reform the laws have provoked violence in Pakistan, and for some, the fatwa helped blur the lines between blasphemy and intellectual debate across the Muslim world.</p>

<p>Analysts such as Khalid Ahmed, author of a book on Pakistan's sectarian divide, say the fatwa marked the beginning of a "terrible decline" of intellectual discourse in Islam.</p>

<p>The Iranian government vowed it would not act on the fatwa in 1998, but such decrees are "not revocable", Mehdi Aboutalebi, cleric and doctor of political science at the influential conservative think-tank Imam Khomeini&nbsp;<br />
Educational Research Institute in Qom, told AFP.</p>

<p>"Even if 800 years pass, the sentence remains the same," he said.</p>

<p>The fatwa has caused multiple diplomatic rows over the years -- as have other cases of blasphemy, such as the controversy over satirical Danish cartoons of the prophet printed in the right-wing Jyllands-Posten newspaper in 2005.</p>

<p>Politics and religion are often intertwined in Iran, Aboutalebi explained, echoing a sentiment expressed in other Muslim countries.</p>

<p>"For instance, Iran's quarrel with US is not over money or economy... This is all about our beliefs and our religion," he said. The fatwa shows "we will not tolerate anyone breaking our belief boundaries".</p>

<p>Today the furore over Rushdie interests only "the most radical ayatollahs", said Clement Therme, research fellow at the Iran International Institute for Strategic Studies.</p>

<p>In Pakistan, where Rushdie's books have been available on the black market for years, "Joseph Anton: A Memoir" -- which recounts his time in hiding after the fatwa -- is quietly but openly on sale in at least one bookstore in the capital.</p>

<p>However, most booksellers remain cautious.</p>

<p>"There is a religious issue," one of them, who gave his name as Ayaz, told AFP. "That's why we can't display (Rushdie's books) and also can't order them."</p>


Thirty years after Iran called for the killing of Salman Rushdie, the British novelist remains a figure of hate for extremists across the Muslim world, and though the level of outrage has dropped, the issue of blasphemy is as incendiary as ever.

Thirty years after Iran called for the killing of Salman Rushdie, the British novelist remains a figure of hate for extremists across the Muslim world, and though the level of outrage has dropped, the issue of blasphemy is as incendiary as ever. Rushdie's novel "The Satanic Verses" triggered mass protests from London to Islamabad and, analysts say, closed down the space for debate around Islam in a way that still resonates today. Iran's spiritual leader, the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued the fatwa calling for Rushdie's murder on February 14, 1989. A day earlier thousands of protesters enraged by the novel's publication had attacked the American Cultural Centre in Islamabad. Five people were killed in the ensuing clashes with police. Pakistani journalist Shahid ur Rehman told AFP he was among the first to arrive on the scene that day and watched as men stormed the roof of the centre and pulled down its American flag while police fired tear gas, then live bullets. Rehman said the novel came as a rude shock to a Muslim world which was "basking in glory". The Iranian revolution was just a decade old and the Soviet Union was on the verge of a collapse after being driven out of Afghanistan by the US-backed mujahideen, with Muslims in general and Pakistan, in particular, claiming credit for the defeat of an empire. Rushdie's novel and the fatwa which followed were "like a dam breaking", Rehman said. Today, the novelist is "hated as much... As he was hated back then", said Pakistani religious scholar Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi. But "people cannot protest consecutively for 30 years," he added. Anger over blasphemy remains effervescent among Islamic hardliners, however. In the last ten years in Pakistan, politicians have been assassinated, European countries threatened with nuclear annihilation and students lynched over the issue. The case of Asia Bibi -- a Christian woman whose death sentence for blasphemy was overturned in Pakistan last year, sparking days of violence and drawing global attention to religious extremism in the South Asian country -- is just the latest example. Ashrafi said the publication of the novel "justified" laws against blasphemy -- without them, he argued, "people like Rushdie will keep hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims". Even calls to reform the laws have provoked violence in Pakistan, and for some, the fatwa helped blur the lines between blasphemy and intellectual debate across the Muslim world. Analysts such as Khalid Ahmed, author of a book on Pakistan's sectarian divide, say the fatwa marked the beginning of a "terrible decline" of intellectual discourse in Islam. The Iranian government vowed it would not act on the fatwa in 1998, but such decrees are "not revocable", Mehdi Aboutalebi, cleric and doctor of political science at the influential conservative think-tank Imam Khomeini Educational Research Institute in Qom, told AFP. "Even if 800 years pass, the sentence remains the same," he said. The fatwa has caused multiple diplomatic rows over the years -- as have other cases of blasphemy, such as the controversy over satirical Danish cartoons of the prophet printed in the right-wing Jyllands-Posten newspaper in 2005. Politics and religion are often intertwined in Iran, Aboutalebi explained, echoing a sentiment expressed in other Muslim countries. "For instance, Iran's quarrel with US is not over money or economy... This is all about our beliefs and our religion," he said. The fatwa shows "we will not tolerate anyone breaking our belief boundaries". Today the furore over Rushdie interests only "the most radical ayatollahs", said Clement Therme, research fellow at the Iran International Institute for Strategic Studies. In Pakistan, where Rushdie's books have been available on the black market for years, "Joseph Anton: A Memoir" -- which recounts his time in hiding after the fatwa -- is quietly but openly on sale in at least one bookstore in the capital. However, most booksellers remain cautious. "There is a religious issue," one of them, who gave his name as Ayaz, told AFP. "That's why we can't display (Rushdie's books) and also can't order them."

Thirty years after Rushdie fatwa, blasphemy still a potent weapon

<p>It was announced a while back that Netflix will be adapting Salman Rushdie’s celebrated novel ‘Midnight’s Children’. The streaming platform now also has a director to realise it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In an announcement made today, Netflix has revealed that Vishal Bhardwaj will helm the project and also executive produce it. Simran Sethi, director of international originals for Netflix said, “The scope and scale of Midnight’s Children can only be translated by a creator with an expansive vision, depth of storytelling, and a nuanced knowledge of bringing characters to life."</p>

<p>Simran added, "We couldn’t have imagined anyone other than Vishal Bhardwaj as the showrunner on this series and are honoured that he will steer the project.”</p>

<p>Midnight's Children follows the life of Saleem Sinai, who was born on the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, coinciding with India's independence. The book follows his life, every act of his, that in a way mirrors and reflects the course of the country's national affairs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On getting this opportunity, Vishal said, “The opportunity to translate one of the greatest works of literature in a medium that is accessible to millions of people around the world is incredible, and I’m delighted to partner with Netflix in bringing Midnight’s Children to life onscreen. I’m confident that taking this quintessentially Indian epic that transcends generations and genres, combined with the production values and creative freedom that Netflix offers, will contribute to an unforgettable series that is Indian at heart and global in reach.”</p>

<p>Vishal is best known as a director, writer, producer and composer across genres in Hindi cinema. He has adapted several global works of literature for the screen, including Macbeth (‘Maqbool’), Othello (‘Omkara’), Hamlet (‘Haider’) and ‘The Blue Umbrella’. He has got seven National Film Awards in India.&nbsp;</p>


It was announced a while back that Netflix will be adapting Salman Rushdie’s celebrated novel ‘Midnight’s Children’. The streaming platform now also has a director to realise it.

It was announced a while back that Netflix will be adapting Salman Rushdie’s celebrated novel ‘Midnight’s Children’. The streaming platform now also has a director to realise it. In an announcement made today, Netflix has revealed that Vishal Bhardwaj will helm the project and also executive produce it. Simran Sethi, director of international originals for Netflix said, “The scope and scale of Midnight’s Children can only be translated by a creator with an expansive vision, depth of storytelling, and a nuanced knowledge of bringing characters to life." Simran added, "We couldn’t have imagined anyone other than Vishal Bhardwaj as the showrunner on this series and are honoured that he will steer the project.” Midnight's Children follows the life of Saleem Sinai, who was born on the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, coinciding with India's independence. The book follows his life, every act of his, that in a way mirrors and reflects the course of the country's national affairs. On getting this opportunity, Vishal said, “The opportunity to translate one of the greatest works of literature in a medium that is accessible to millions of people around the world is incredible, and I’m delighted to partner with Netflix in bringing Midnight’s Children to life onscreen. I’m confident that taking this quintessentially Indian epic that transcends generations and genres, combined with the production values and creative freedom that Netflix offers, will contribute to an unforgettable series that is Indian at heart and global in reach.” Vishal is best known as a director, writer, producer and composer across genres in Hindi cinema. He has adapted several global works of literature for the screen, including Macbeth (‘Maqbool’), Othello (‘Omkara’), Hamlet (‘Haider’) and ‘The Blue Umbrella’. He has got seven National Film Awards in India.

Vishal Bhardwaj to direct Netflix's adaptation of Salman Rushdie's novel 'Midnight's Children'

<p>Last Friday (11th of August) the Jharkhand government banned &lsquo;The Adivasi will not dance&rsquo;, a Sahitya Akademi award winning book. Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar, the author of the book has been accused of promoting pornographic literature. Legislators across the political spectrum in Jharkhand have argued that the book has failed in depicting the reality and, thus, portrayed the tribal women in a bad light. Mr Shekhar has been subjected to legal proceedings which may eventually send him to jail.</p>

<p>Reality can, after all, be an illusion, and we do not need any Albert Einstein to convince us. Even our pea-sized brains know how to convert a reality into an illusion &ndash; just close our eyes, live in our own cocoons and fervently hope that the others would do the same. Our daily dose of mainstream news coverage, Facebook activities and professional engagements would additionally ensure that even this illusion would never be persistent. &nbsp;</p>

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<p>And then, all of a sudden a person from our very own cohort rises - asks uncomfortably probing questions and casually tries to get rid of our blinders. One of our own! How can we hold the sense of betrayal buried deep down in our heart? We can not, we call for revenge. Everybody who has lost their blinders&#39; calls for revenge.</p>

<p>So what can be done? To start with, we ask for a ban on the books written by these traitors. Later, perhaps we would demand to taste their blood.</p>

<p>U.R. Ananthamurthy was lucky, in spite of the fierce criticism coming from a section of his fellow Kannada Brahmins, neither his book &lsquo;Samskara&rsquo; was banned nor did he end up in exile. Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasrin were not so blessed. India was the first country to ban Rushdie&rsquo;s &lsquo;Satanic Verses&rsquo;, which was nominated for the prestigious Booker Prize. In the case of Taslima, two of her books, &lsquo;Dwikhandito&rsquo; and &lsquo;Nirbasan&rsquo; could not be released in Bengal. When she was kicked out of Kolkata in 2007, then to her fellow Bengalis remained comfortably silent. Perhaps her books being banned was a boon in disguise, otherwise, she could have met the same fate as M.M. Kalburgi. When Kalburgi&rsquo;s books and writings could not be banished, he was murdered. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>It has been alleged that Mr Shekhar has created a promiscuous protagonist for this story who has hurt the dignity of the tribal women.</h5>
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<p>Among the democratically elected nations, India has always been on the forefront of literary censorship. The news of banning a certain book thus does not surprise us, we must have become quite habituated with such news. But at times the absurdity in reasoning baffles us. The sheer tomfoolery of the aggrieved party seems so annoying that even our pea-sized brains cannot take it anymore. We, for once, should wake up to the reality.</p>

<p>Take, for instance, the case of &lsquo;The Adivasi will not dance&rsquo; which by the way is an anthology of short stories. The legislators from BJP, Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha are, particularly, perturbed with a story named &lsquo;November is the month of migration&rsquo;. The story, which is literally short (only two and a half pages long), has been tagged as pornographic. It has been alleged that Mr Shekhar has created a promiscuous protagonist for this story who has hurt the dignity of the tribal women.</p>

<p>Absurdity in contemporary India comes to a dime a dozen, from performing yajna for Donald Trump to theorising about interplanetary travel in the Vedic age, you name it. Visualising the twenty-year-old Talamai Kisku, the protagonist of Mr Shekhar&rsquo;s story, as a promiscuous woman is as absurd as the aforementioned ones. Talamai has come from Santhal Pargana to the Bardhaman district of West Bengal in search of a job and some food. She does not find a job but instead finds a policeman who lures her with a cold bread pakora. Not just the bread pakora, in exchange for sex, Talamai is supposed to get some money too.</p>

<p>Mr Shekhar writes, &ldquo;Talamai takes care not to scream, or even wince. She knows the routine. She has to do nothing, only spread her legs and lie quite&rdquo;. Talamai indeed does nothing. Even when the policeman squeezes her breasts or bites her nipples, she does not scream, she just keeps thinking about the promised food and the money.</p>

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<p>Does she seem like a promiscuous woman to you? Absolutely, if you haven&rsquo;t paid attention to the story I was telling you. Doesn&rsquo;t it all make sense now? You did not read the story and that is how you know that Talamai Kisku has shattered the dignity of the tribal women of Jharkhand. You did not even hold the book in your hands and that is why you know that Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar must be legally prosecuted for stories which he never wrote.</p>

<p>I guess unlike Talamai Kisku, the legislators from Jharkhand do not visit the state of Bengal that often. Good for them. Otherwise, they could have heard about a story named &lsquo;Draupadi&rsquo; which was written by Mahasweta Devi. Dopdi (Draupadi) Mejhen, a Santhal woman, was not looking for either money or food, she was still gang raped by the army jawans because she was enlisted as a terrorist of the state.</p>

<p>After regaining her senses, Draupadi refused to put on any clothing and said that she was not ashamed because she could not find a man in the army camp. Stark naked, she kept pushing the commander of the army with her two mangled breasts. Imagine the audacity of the character and her creator. How would the legislators have punished them? We all know very well that Draupadi and Talamai do exist, both in our illusion as well as in our reality. And, we have miserably failed them and millions of other tribal women. Their actions differ but they display the same indifference and despair.</p>

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<h5>It is already quite absurd that instead of the award he has been suspended from his job.</h5>
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<p>I have a feeling that most of the legislators who have been asking for Mr Shekhar&rsquo;s blood believe in karma. I have an advice for them, give him the &lsquo;Jharkhand Ratna&rsquo; award, possibly a promotion too. It is already quite absurd that instead of the award he has been suspended from his job. Before the situation becomes more surreal, please take care of your karma.</p>

<p>&lsquo;The Adivasi will not dance&rsquo; is an outstanding book which looks at an extraordinary breadth of tribal issues that were never discussed in popular fiction. For example, the very first story of the volume, &lsquo;They eat meat&rsquo; introduces us to a non-vegetarian tribal family who had to settle down in the western city of Vadodara where vegetarianism was the rule of the day. The daily troubles that the family dealt with are still alive and kicking, in reality. In any case, without our daily intake of silver carp or chicken, our illusory world will certainly not sustain.</p>

<p>Mr Shekhar deserves a thank you note for reminding us that happiness prevails only when &ldquo;no one minds what we eat and we don&rsquo;t mind what others eat&rdquo;. And he certainly deserves much more than a thank you note (again, how about the Jharkhand Ratna?) for saying in public, for once and all, that Adivasis will not dance.</p>

<p>Not just the common people, even Indian auteurs such as Satyajit Ray had believed in the stereotypical images of tribal men and women dancing. Mr Shekhar&rsquo;s dictum, however, does not originate from the lessons learnt from our past mistakes, the pronouncement is there because we fail to answer a simple question, &ldquo;Do we have a reason to be happy&rdquo;?&nbsp;</p>

<p>With such an absurd book ban in place, we certainly do not have any reason to celebrate. Not even on our independence day. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


From restraining Salman Rushdie to Taslima Nasrin's book, and now Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar's award winning book, India is best known for literary censorship.

Last Friday (11th of August) the Jharkhand government banned ‘The Adivasi will not dance’, a Sahitya Akademi award winning book. Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar, the author of the book has been accused of promoting pornographic literature. Legislators across the political spectrum in Jharkhand have argued that the book has failed in depicting the reality and, thus, portrayed the tribal women in a bad light. Mr Shekhar has been subjected to legal proceedings which may eventually send him to jail. Reality can, after all, be an illusion, and we do not need any Albert Einstein to convince us. Even our pea-sized brains know how to convert a reality into an illusion – just close our eyes, live in our own cocoons and fervently hope that the others would do the same. Our daily dose of mainstream news coverage, Facebook activities and professional engagements would additionally ensure that even this illusion would never be persistent. Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar, the author of the book has been accused of promoting pornographic literature. × And then, all of a sudden a person from our very own cohort rises - asks uncomfortably probing questions and casually tries to get rid of our blinders. One of our own! How can we hold the sense of betrayal buried deep down in our heart? We can not, we call for revenge. Everybody who has lost their blinders' calls for revenge. So what can be done? To start with, we ask for a ban on the books written by these traitors. Later, perhaps we would demand to taste their blood. U.R. Ananthamurthy was lucky, in spite of the fierce criticism coming from a section of his fellow Kannada Brahmins, neither his book ‘Samskara’ was banned nor did he end up in exile. Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasrin were not so blessed. India was the first country to ban Rushdie’s ‘Satanic Verses’, which was nominated for the prestigious Booker Prize. In the case of Taslima, two of her books, ‘Dwikhandito’ and ‘Nirbasan’ could not be released in Bengal. When she was kicked out of Kolkata in 2007, then to her fellow Bengalis remained comfortably silent. Perhaps her books being banned was a boon in disguise, otherwise, she could have met the same fate as M.M. Kalburgi. When Kalburgi’s books and writings could not be banished, he was murdered. It has been alleged that Mr Shekhar has created a promiscuous protagonist for this story who has hurt the dignity of the tribal women. × Among the democratically elected nations, India has always been on the forefront of literary censorship. The news of banning a certain book thus does not surprise us, we must have become quite habituated with such news. But at times the absurdity in reasoning baffles us. The sheer tomfoolery of the aggrieved party seems so annoying that even our pea-sized brains cannot take it anymore. We, for once, should wake up to the reality. Take, for instance, the case of ‘The Adivasi will not dance’ which by the way is an anthology of short stories. The legislators from BJP, Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha are, particularly, perturbed with a story named ‘November is the month of migration’. The story, which is literally short (only two and a half pages long), has been tagged as pornographic. It has been alleged that Mr Shekhar has created a promiscuous protagonist for this story who has hurt the dignity of the tribal women. Absurdity in contemporary India comes to a dime a dozen, from performing yajna for Donald Trump to theorising about interplanetary travel in the Vedic age, you name it. Visualising the twenty-year-old Talamai Kisku, the protagonist of Mr Shekhar’s story, as a promiscuous woman is as absurd as the aforementioned ones. Talamai has come from Santhal Pargana to the Bardhaman district of West Bengal in search of a job and some food. She does not find a job but instead finds a policeman who lures her with a cold bread pakora. Not just the bread pakora, in exchange for sex, Talamai is supposed to get some money too. Mr Shekhar writes, “Talamai takes care not to scream, or even wince. She knows the routine. She has to do nothing, only spread her legs and lie quite”. Talamai indeed does nothing. Even when the policeman squeezes her breasts or bites her nipples, she does not scream, she just keeps thinking about the promised food and the money. You did not read the story and that is how you know that Talamai Kisku has shattered the dignity of the tribal women of Jharkhand. × Does she seem like a promiscuous woman to you? Absolutely, if you haven’t paid attention to the story I was telling you. Doesn’t it all make sense now? You did not read the story and that is how you know that Talamai Kisku has shattered the dignity of the tribal women of Jharkhand. You did not even hold the book in your hands and that is why you know that Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar must be legally prosecuted for stories which he never wrote. I guess unlike Talamai Kisku, the legislators from Jharkhand do not visit the state of Bengal that often. Good for them. Otherwise, they could have heard about a story named ‘Draupadi’ which was written by Mahasweta Devi. Dopdi (Draupadi) Mejhen, a Santhal woman, was not looking for either money or food, she was still gang raped by the army jawans because she was enlisted as a terrorist of the state. After regaining her senses, Draupadi refused to put on any clothing and said that she was not ashamed because she could not find a man in the army camp. Stark naked, she kept pushing the commander of the army with her two mangled breasts. Imagine the audacity of the character and her creator. How would the legislators have punished them? We all know very well that Draupadi and Talamai do exist, both in our illusion as well as in our reality. And, we have miserably failed them and millions of other tribal women. Their actions differ but they display the same indifference and despair. It is already quite absurd that instead of the award he has been suspended from his job. × I have a feeling that most of the legislators who have been asking for Mr Shekhar’s blood believe in karma. I have an advice for them, give him the ‘Jharkhand Ratna’ award, possibly a promotion too. It is already quite absurd that instead of the award he has been suspended from his job. Before the situation becomes more surreal, please take care of your karma. ‘The Adivasi will not dance’ is an outstanding book which looks at an extraordinary breadth of tribal issues that were never discussed in popular fiction. For example, the very first story of the volume, ‘They eat meat’ introduces us to a non-vegetarian tribal family who had to settle down in the western city of Vadodara where vegetarianism was the rule of the day. The daily troubles that the family dealt with are still alive and kicking, in reality. In any case, without our daily intake of silver carp or chicken, our illusory world will certainly not sustain. Mr Shekhar deserves a thank you note for reminding us that happiness prevails only when “no one minds what we eat and we don’t mind what others eat”. And he certainly deserves much more than a thank you note (again, how about the Jharkhand Ratna?) for saying in public, for once and all, that Adivasis will not dance. Not just the common people, even Indian auteurs such as Satyajit Ray had believed in the stereotypical images of tribal men and women dancing. Mr Shekhar’s dictum, however, does not originate from the lessons learnt from our past mistakes, the pronouncement is there because we fail to answer a simple question, “Do we have a reason to be happy”? With such an absurd book ban in place, we certainly do not have any reason to celebrate. Not even on our independence day.

Banning ?The Adivasi will not dance?, the absurdity of it all

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