Now 36 years later, the ban looks likely to be lifted after Indian officials failed to locate the banning order.
Rushdie's magical realist novel caused global turmoil when it was published in September 1988. It was inspired by the life of the prophet Muhammad, and though it did not name him and featured only fictional characters and places, it was condemned by Islamic figures as blasphemous, with the supreme leader of Iran issuing a fatwa against Rushdie.
The author was forced to keep a low profile for many years and was the victim of an assassination attempt in 2022, when he was stabbed during a public appearance in New York, leaving him blind in one eye.
This story is from the November 09, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the November 09, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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