New Delhi: Author Ruchir Joshi on Monday said that he does not regret reading out extracts from Salman Rushdie's banned book 'The Satanic Verses' at the Jaipur Literature Festival. Talking to IBN18 Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai on Talking Point, Joshi said that he was even ready to do it again if required.
"There's nothing in the law that prohibits people reading from a banned book," Joshi said.
"Rushdie's constitutional rights are being violated by fringe groups," he added.
Ruchir Joshi left the Jaipur Literature Festival amidst speculation that he may be arrested if he had stayed on.
Joshi, along with three other authors Hari Kunzru, Amitava Kumar and Jeet Thayil struck a defiant note by reading from the banned book on Friday after Rushdie called off his visit citing death threats.
Meanwhile, speaking on Talking Point, Indian author Chetan Bhagat said that even though the authors had the right to freedom of expression, but one does not have the right to offend.
President of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Asaduddin Owaisi also said that reading portions of The Satanic Verses was a 'deliberate provocation'.
However, eminent jurist Soli Sorabjee said that there was nothing illegal in video conferencing with Salman Rushdie and it should be allowed.
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