Rushdie to address video conference tomorrow

Zeenews Bureau

Jaipur: Latest reports coming from Jaipur Literature Festival confirm that Salman Rushdie would hold a video conference tomorrow at 3: 45 pm. The Booker prize winner has finally decided to address the Jaipur Literature Festival via video link straight from New York. The organisers of the lit fest have asked the author to back off following protests from Islamist groups. Anticipating trouble, the Rajasthan government asked the organizers to request Rushdie to call of his visit to India. Sources state that the Rajasthan government felt that Rushdie’s visit would be a security threat for the state especially after certain radical groups raised objection over his visit. However, now the organizers have confirmed that the writer will address a video conference to clear all air. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Home Ministry sources said that the Literature Festival organisers have not contacted them on Rushdie using video conferencing to address the event. The sources said that the Festival organiser will have to get permission for allowing Rushdie to use the video link. Sources also confirmed that the state government would give their nod only after Rushdie assures that he would not use any reference from his book `The Satanic Verses`. Earlier, four authors who read excerpts from Rusdhie`s `The Satanic Verses` left the Jaipur Literature Festival amidst speculation that they may be arrested if they stayed on.