| New Delhi Salman Rushdie, May Not To Attain, The Jaipur Literature Festival |
"Very sad not to be at jaipur. I was told bombay mafia don issued weapons to 2 hitmen to "eliminate" me. Will do video link instead. Damn," Rushdie tweeted.
Jaipur Literature Festival organiser Sanjoy Roy made the announcement saying that Rushdie decided not to attend as there is a threat to his life in India.
Although there is no official announcement yet, the sources said that the British Indian novelist may keep away from the January 20-24 event scheduled at the Diggi Palace Hotel.
The sources gave no details but spoke as Rajasthan Chief Minister told Home Minister P. Chidambaram in Delhi that Rushdie's presence could spark off trouble.
"I don't have any official information about whether Rushdie is coming or not. There is no official communication to us... There is a reaction among the locals, they don't want Salman to come," Gehlot told reporters after the meeting. Gehlot said his Chief Secretary was in touch with the organisers of the literature festival that is a five-day affair from January 20 to 25.
"No state government will want a law and order situation. I have informed the Centre about the prevailing sentiments," Gehlot said. The announcement of Rushdie's visit to the popular festival had invited the wrath of India's top Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband, which appealed to the government to decline the author a visa as he had hurt sentiments of Muslims in the past.
Muslim groups have come out against the visit by Rushdie, whose fourth novel, "The Satanic Verses" (1988), led to major protests from Muslims in many countries after a 'fatwa' by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989.
Organisers of the popular Jaipur Literature Festival, however, admitted that Rushdie "will not attend" the first day of the event.
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