Click to play videoJaipur: Will Salman Rushdie make it to the Jaipur's Literature festival despite the raging controversy and threats of fierce protests?
Amidst growing threats of protests, the organisers have taken the initially published schedule from their website, but they still maintain that his visit hasn't been called off as yet.
"Every liberal person in India should stand up and be heard on this," said festival producer Sanjoy Roy.
The controversy around Rushdie's fourth trip to India since he wrote Satanic Verses arose after Muslim groups including Darool Ulum of Deoband objected.
Abul Qasim Nomani, the vice chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband, said that as Rushdie had not yet apologised, a move to ban him in India was a welcome step.
"If Rushide apologises, then only we can decide whether he can be allowed to come to India," said Nomani.
Far from assuring organisers, the Rajasthan government too has expressed security concerns over Rushdie's impending visit. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot rushed to meet the Union Home Minister early on Tuesday morning and all but said Rushdie should avoid coming.
"We should respect sentiments of minorities. They gave us representation against his visit," said Gehlot.
It is this concern for minorities, ahead of crucial assembly elections, that is perhaps complicating matters for the government.
The Union government has so far refused to interfere in the matter, with the Union Home Ministry making it clear that law and order is a state subject ad ultimately it is for the state government, the organisers and Rushdie himself to come to an amicable solution acceptable to all.
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