In a significant development, Salman Rushdie’s controversial novel ‘The Satanic Verses’ can now be imported into India after 36 years of being banned. This comes after a Delhi court ruled that India’s three-decade-old ban on the book’s import has been effectively lifted due to missing paperwork.
The ban was initially imposed in 1988 by the then Rajiv Gandhi government following protests from certain sections of the Muslim community who viewed passages in the book as blasphemous. The book sparked outrage across the Muslim world, leading to violent demonstrations and book burnings.
The Delhi High Court’s recent decision stemmed from a 2019 case filed by petitioner Sandipan Khan, who argued that he was unable to import the book due to a notification issued in 1988 banning its import. However, Khan claimed this notification was not accessible online or available with relevant authorities.
When authorities were unable to produce the notification during court proceedings, the bench, headed by Justice Rekha Palli, concluded that the notification likely does not exist. This decision, therefore, effectively removed the legal barrier for importing ‘The Satanic Verses’ into India.
While the court’s ruling paves the way for the book’s import, it remains unclear if bookstores will stock the novel. The book’s publisher in India, Penguin Random House India, has stated they are considering their next steps.
Khan’s lawyer, Uddyam Mukherjee, stated that the ban has been lifted as of November 5th, 2023. He added that while Khan can now potentially buy a copy of the book from international booksellers online, it’s unclear if the book will be readily available in Indian bookstores, as this decision rests with publishers and sellers.
This news has sparked renewed interest in ‘The Satanic Verses’ and its impact on India. While the court’s ruling is a significant step towards lifting the ban, the novel’s future availability in India remains uncertain. It will be interesting to see how publishers, bookstores, and the Indian public react to this development.
