As uncertainties cloud over author Salman Rushdie's visit to Jaipur Literature Festival after reports of Rajasthan government asking the organizers of the festival to ask Rushdie to call off his visit, there is outrage and disappointment among book lovers.
Reports say that the
government believed Rushdie's presence would create a security risk in light of calls for protests.
Rushdie's events are no longer mentioned on the festival's website. Rushdie was scheduled to speak on January 20 and 21.
According to TV reports, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said he has no reports of Rushdie's visit.
"We do not have any reports of him coming here. We received all information through media reports (on Salman Rushdie visit). Some people met us in Jaipur. We don't know what he is upto. It's is a matter of concern," he said.
Reacting to the reports of Rushdie not attending the festival, people have expressed their disappointed and anger over social networking sites. For many he was the main reason of attending the festival.
Rushdie had a fatwa against him since 1989 after the publication of 'The Satanic Verses'. He is scheduled to attend the Jaipur Literature Festival from January 20 to 24.
