I haven’t read Satanic Verses, but I may read it in near future thanks to the hype and controversy created around it. It is scary to read works of Salman Rushdie not because they are blasphemous, but because they are difficult for me to understand at first reading. I read Midnight’s Children twice to get some idea of the book. Former chief justice of India, Markandeya Katju has called Rushdie a substandard author. That is his opinion. He gave this statement in the context of controversy surrounding Jaipur Literary Festival regarding opposition to Rushdie’s purported participation in the fest and the media frenzy over the issue which has blown it out of proportion as usual.
People forgot what the festival was about amidst the chaos generated by splinter groups protesting for and against Rushdie’s presence. My curiosity to read Satanic Verses is fueled by the question that why it has stirred hornet’s nest and how it has hurt sentiments of certain section of our society.
23 years ago the book was banned in India under a section of the customs act that prohibits its import and distribution in the country. Strangely, this law doesn’t ban the reading of the book. I can venture to read it if I can grab a copy (ebook).
Now coming to the question of free speech, authors have always been the victims of political decisions. Governments don’t understand that by banning the book they are making it inaccessible materially, and not proscribing the idea of the book which is indestructible. These measures will only make the book more popular and ignite curiosity of new generations like mine who had no clue of the controversy surrounding the book.
Ideas live and thrive. They can be blasphemous, derogatory and offensive to some section of the society – be it be art or literature, suppressing them will only create wider publicity and of course infringement on free speech. This idea of free speech is the victim of political expediency from time immemorial. People in power or with some influence get away when they make or create such abusive ideas – for example, politicians in South Asia or heads of religious groups frequently make hate speeches but they are still widely followed and are scot-free most of the times – laws are flexible for them, can be bent or broken to protect them – whereas an author or an artist is ostracized and forced to live in exile.
Democracies and dictatorships alike resort to such measures of banning books or allowing certain sections (civil society, pressure groups) of the society to influence their policies for political and propagandist reasons.
If Satanic Verses is blasphemous then create awareness peacefully to not to read it. If an art is blasphemous then don’t see it (analogy can be drawn with Slut Walk!! ) leave it to the faculty of individual judgement, don’t deprive those interested from an opportunity to cultivate the habit of free thinking and free will.
Governments do not hesitate to deregulate economy, but when it comes to free speech and information they will never hesitate to regulate these – for they are aware that information is such a powerful tool that can strengthen voices of downtrodden, and shake the foundations of power.
