British-Indian author Salman Rushdie is once again making headlines, but this time, it’s not due to any personal remarks, fatal attacks, or relationships. His highly controversial novel, The Satanic Verses, has returned to India after being banned for 36 years. The book’s re-entry into the Indian market has sparked debates, attracted attention online, and reignited old controversies.

Currently priced at Rs 1,999, The Satanic Verses is being sold exclusively at Bahrisons Booksellers in Delhi-NCR. While the book has generated significant interest from readers, publishers, and authors alike, many other bookstores have decided not to import it. This selective availability has added to the growing discussions around its release.

Why was Satanic Verses banned?

The Rajiv Gandhi government banned the novel in 1988, citing its offensive content. The book’s portrayal of Islamic figures and references to Prophet Muhammad led to accusations of blasphemy. According to Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi, National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, “This book insults Islam, Prophet Muhammad, and several Islamic figures. Its content is so offensive that it cannot be repeated. Allowing this book in the market will disturb the nation's atmosphere. No Muslim can tolerate seeing this hateful book on any bookshop shelf.”

Religious opposition and criticism

The return of The Satanic Verses has drawn criticism from various Islamic scholars and religious leaders. Maulana Yasood Abbas, General Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB), urged the government to reinstate the ban. He stated, “There should have been dialogue with people demanding a ban before allowing the sale of the book.”

Maulana Kaab Rashidi, legal advisor for the Uttar Pradesh unit of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (AM), expressed similar concerns, saying, “If freedom of expression hurts someone's sentiments, it is a legal offence. ‘The Satanic Verses’ is a blasphemous book. Selling such a controversial book under the pretext of freedom of expression cannot be accepted in any form. It goes against the spirit of the Constitution.”

A history of global unrest and violence

The controversy surrounding The Satanic Verses is not new. Upon its release in 1988, the book triggered widespread outrage and protests in many countries. Iranian leader Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa, calling on Muslims to kill Salman Rushdie and his publishers.

The unrest turned violent, with Rushdie’s Japanese translator, Hitoshi Igarashi, being killed in his office in July 1991. The author himself spent nearly a decade in hiding, living under heavy security in the UK and the US. More recently, on August 12, 2022, Rushdie was attacked on stage during a lecture in New York by Lebanese-American Hadi Matar, leaving him blind in one eye.

Stirred controversies around Freedom of Expression

The book’s return to India has reignited discussions about the balance between freedom of expression and respecting religious sentiments. Supporters argue that banning books goes against democratic values, while critics maintain that certain content can harm societal harmony.

Whether The Satanic Verses continues to remain available in the Indian market or faces renewed legal challenges, its return has once again highlighted the enduring tension between creative freedom and cultural sensitivities.