AIMIM slams resumption of sales of Satanic Verses, seeks ban

AIMIM condemns the return of Salman Rushdie's controversial book, The Satanic Verses, and urges the government to reinstate the ban.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) joined several Muslim organisations in condemning the return of Salman Rushdie’s controversial book The Satanic Verses to Indian bookshelves. They have appealed to the Central government to reinstate the ban on the book.

The former AIMIM MLA from Mumbai, Warish Pathan, expressed outrage over the resumption of sales of the book. “This book, first published and banned nearly four decades ago, has resurfaced in India. At the time of its release, it sparked widespread outrage due to its objectionable content, which I cannot even articulate. It created a global controversy, and Salman Rushdie himself faced violent repercussions,” he said.

Calling the book’s return an act of provocation, Mr. Pathan recalled past protests against it. “In Mumbai, people organised protests, and some Muslim youths lost their lives in police firing. Now that the Delhi High Court has lifted the ban, we urge the government to intervene and appeal against this decision in a higher court. The ban must be reinstated to prevent further provocation of people’s beliefs.”

Mr. Pathan also raised concerns about the lack of action against Ramgiri Maharaj, who allegedly made derogatory remarks about Prophet Mohammed. “Despite these comments, he is yet to be arrested,” he added.

The Satanic Verses was originally banned by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1988. The book is now available at select bookstores, including Bahrisons Booksellers in Delhi-NCR. In November, the Delhi High Court closed proceedings on a plea challenging the original ban, citing the government’s inability to produce the official notification from October 5, 1988, which led to the assumption that the ban was no longer valid.