Writer Salman Rushdie’s India visit to attend this weekend’s Jaipur Literature Festival looks uncertain, with Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot telling Union home minister P. Chidambaram on Tuesday it “may lead to security problems”.
The home ministry told Mr Gehlot that Rushdie, as a Person of Indian Origin, has every right to visit India, and the Centre “cannot prevent” it. It said it “will not stop Rushdie’s visit to attend the festival if he decides to proceed”.
Festival producer Sanjoy Roy said while the invitation stands, Rushdie “will not be in India on January 20 due to a change in his schedule”.
Mr Gehlot told reporters: “The locals don’t want Rushdie to come.” He added: “The festival’s organisers too wouldn’t want a law and order situation to ruin (it).”