In a rather unbecoming finale of an international event propounding freedom of expression and universal brotherhood, the five-day Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) abandoned the much-talked about videoconference hosting eminent author Salman Rushdie here on Tuesday.
It appeared that after much vacillation, the government, the organisers and the owner of the premises decided to call off the event, initially scheduled for 3.45 p.m.. on the lawns of the Diggi Palace.
“We have been bullied. We have to stop our fight for freedom of expression. This is a decision we cannot support. We have been informed by the police of large crowds gathering in several parts of the city, in parks… We have been asked to stop [it],” said Sanjoy Roy, organiser, his voice choked with emotion. “All of us feel hurt and disgraced…”
“For them, the very image of Salman on the screen was an issue. Yet, we were told by the authorities that if we wanted to go ahead with the programme they would continue to give protection,” Mr. Roy said. “We once again ask the media to continue this debate…” Mr. Roy could not complete his words as emotions got over him.
There was a hush of silence in the crowd — which also had a sprinkling of youth in skullcaps — which stood without dissipating. Some of them clapped not exactly knowing what they were clapping for while others looked nervous. With this, even the hope of glimpsing Mr. Rushdie on video screen was over. Perhaps, it all looked more like a video game. The efforts to bring Mr. Rushdie to the JLF 2012, which continued despite a Deoband seminary fatwa and the opposition of certain Muslim groups, ended with a whimper.
“I am sad that a great show like this ended in this manner. We cannot be held to ransom like this. It is time that we decided things in a more democratic manner,” noted author Kunal Basu said.
Rampratap Singh Diggi, owner of the palace, was pushed forward to make the announcement even as the organisers, Mr. Roy and Namita Gokhale, stood beside him. “I have taken a decision not to allow the video link to take place on the advice of the Rajasthan police. There are lots of people who are averse to this video link. They are threatening violence. This is unfortunate,” Mr. Diggi, patron of the festival since its inception, said as a huge audience listened listlessly. “This is to safeguard you, my family, my children …”
Since afternoon there were signs of protesters sneaking into the premises — though for an event in which passes are issued and there is strict vigil. It is not known how so many could be allowed on such a day. There were some dramatic moments in the afternoon as over two dozen men, in white skullcaps, said to be members of the Milli Council, went to the front portion of the Diggi mansion (the Durbar Hall) and offered “namaz” (prayers). This was followed by a group of persons led by Paikar Farooq positioning themselves on one side of the lawns where the Rushdie videoconferencing was scheduled.
Later, in a statement, the organisers said they felt disgraced. “After three weeks of struggle, we had to give in to those who wish to suppress free speech. We wish to reiterate our resolve to stand by the right to expression and freedom of speech as guaranteed by the Constitution of this country. We also stand by the right to dissent as long as this is within the law,” it said.
The organisers said police fully cooperated with them. “While the police stood firm in their resolve to protect each person at the venue, they did convey the strong possibility of escalating violence in the venue and that guests may be harmed and they would need to use some degree of force should the situation demand,” they said.
Keywords: Jaipur Literature Festival, Rushdie video talk
I do not think anyone concocted fundamentalism. It was real - there
was an imminent threat of things probably turning wrong. I think the
organizers have taken the right decision by deciding to ban the
conference. True, in the perfect world, there would be highest level
of tolerance and anyone can imagine and express anything they want.
But unfortunately for Rushdie, we do not live in a perfect world. I
wonder if he knew that when he wrote the book. Reading out texts when the book was banned was uncalled for. Making the whole fest be remembered for one man, eminent though he is, could have been avoided. They have fear, yet they want to rebel - I wonder what they really want.
why is there such hue and cry about this one writer? In my opinion, a great piece of literature does either of the following two things. It either touches upon that seldom touched subtle human emotions with its sublime artistic appeal OR it stirs a human soul with its profound intellectual probe. Thereby, the reader is spurred on to reach greater intellectual heights in the process of reconciling his own intellectual self with that of the authors. Works of the greats like Tolstoy are examples of the former while the works of Plato, Nietzsche, and Dostoevsky are few examples of the latter. And then we have Shakespeare who achieves greatness on both the fronts.
Unfortunately, from whatever little I have read of Rushdie, I have observed that his work is but an unabashed display of his mastery over the language without even a semblance of either of the above two qualities. It is much like any of the witty TV shows but only with a smarter and wittier usage of the authors diction.
Rushdie and his ilk are mere word merchants out to make lots of money. To sensationalise is a guaranteed way to cause controversy thus; promote sales. To hurt sensitivities is inconsequential. They are a callous lot and best shunned.
It is regrettable that JLF 2012 will be remembered for wrong reasons. It is equally regrettable that this has happened in a biggest democracy due to the short-sighted policy of the Ruling parties.I am sure that the majority from all the communities would feel sad about the same. It is sad reflection of fall in values in our day-to-day life in a country with rich heritage and tolerance.
The abandonment of the video conferencing of Mr.Salman Rushdie in JLF-2012 is really condemnable.This Judgement is a move to curb the freedom of expression.The information provided by the rajasthan government and intelligence was not realistic.After the conformation of not coming to this festival the hope of glimpsing Mr. Rushdie on video screen was over.
Whatever happened at Jaipur Litfest is unfortunate. This proves again that Indian democracy has not grown enough to democratize our society. What increased my disgust is the fact that the so called liberal voices of our country maintained so much of ghostly silence.For another time the fundamentalist interests could hold our democracy at ransom. From the media inputs we also got to know that the 'Rushdie' issue has also been raked up because of upcoming UP elections. It happens to be like this that our elections which are supposed to be fought on real issues are turned into mockery. What a large section of Indian population as well as the political class, fail to understand is that religions, secular credentials and democracy can never be protected by the concoction of fundamentalism and absurdities of political system. Another very important thing has happened by this Rushdie affair and that an immediate cause has been served on platter for the fanatical elements to fan in future.
I feel that one single individual should not be given so much importance in an international event involving lakhs of creative people. I am sure most participants would want their work and those of others to be heard and they should get enriched by attending this convention. Instead, the media hype has overshadowed the whole show for the sake of one individual. And what is the values this individual stands for? It is not that he expoused the cause of some underprivelged minority or exposed some great injustice. He simply included some offensive matter against one community to benefit from the consequent uproar and media hype. I feel there are much more worthy causes to fight for than for this individual. Of course, one could argue that community people should show restraint; but unfortunately it is not in anyone's hands. The government is of course playing to the minority card as usual, whichis equally unfortunate.
"There was a hush of silence in the crowd — which also had a sprinkling of youth in skullcaps — which stood without dissipating."
Wow, wow - since when has The Hindu started stereotyping people based on their looks and attire? Does this sentence reflect the editorial change that has taken place in your organization? I don't wear a skull cap,or any cap for that matter, I wear western clothes, I do yoga, - yet - I oppose Rushdie, I support the banning of "Rama Retold", I believe there should be a reasonable amount of restrictions on the web. I would suggest Rushdie and his supporters go to U.S. and utter Holocaust was a lie (5 years imprisonement, freedom of speech be damned). Go to Austria and say Hitler was right- (3 years imprisonement- freedom of speech be damned). Go to Beit Shemesh and say women should have equal rights( stoning and spitting- f.o.s be damned. Lets not get carried away by the western notions of freedom of speech which they themselves do not practice.
This is not tolerable,certainly not.We will not allow this country to becoming the hostage of fanatics and appeasement politics.Now I appeal to people please invite Salman rushdie for other functions.Where are the so-called social activist and their media admirer who only feel threatened by right wing extremism.
When Gita is banned in Siberia the whole Parliament condemns it calling it the soul of India , when Jay leno pokes fun at Sikh Beliefs the Govt asks for an apology and when BBC's topgear host Jeremy makes fun of Indian hygiene Media and Govt is hurt . But when the Indian govt has banned a book for more than 3 decades on the basis of spreading hatred and slander some so-called free thinking liberals support Rusdhie and the media projects him as a martyr . Why this double standards by this so-called secular indian media?
This definitely is a sad incident and yes this is a besmirch to the Right of Expression but one should look into it with the perspective of the Rajashthan Police and those pointing fingers at authorities must look into the bigger picture.Indian people we all know are very sensitive and vulnerable when it comes to religion.There have been incidents in past which have aggravated the religious communalism and have ended with blood shed and tears.What if the Sulman Rushdie video aggravated the Muslims and had violence, i am sure it would not have then confined to the literature fest and it could have been then a question of Law and Security in the country. We must understand that the action taken by authorities was to address to the larger issue keeping in mind the larger issue.
Issues like this are going to creep out again and to address them we must educate people,we must encourage the communal harmony and we must make them confident that India is a secular state and everyone is equal.
Unfortunately it only shows that the authority and the system is losing control.Any 'organistion' is able to mobilise a 'crowd' and fulfill their desires. We saw that in babri masjid incident,we see it here,we have seen it many times.It is a dengerous trend. Hope the concerned wakeup and do something early,else India will go to the dogs.
Instead of harping about an author who has already achieved notoriety, the organisers should have focused on spotting new authors on the block. That way, the festival could have become the jumping board for new talented undiscovered authors both from India and abroad.
It is time Indians lightened up and the Governments not to pander to primitive beliefs,notions and demands emanating from it. A liberal and secular society practicing democracy has to grow over such immature sensibilities and allow the people to express. If there are people with malicious intent propagating emotions such as hate to other communities, the Government needs to act against that and nothing else. The action, as it stands, seems very patronizing and condescending.
I find the behavior of the government deeply disturbing. I'm a muslim, and someone who has actually read Rushdie's works, and I support Salman Rushdie being allowed to speak at this event. Preventing him from attending or even appearing on a video conference is a slap to the freedon of expression that the government is expected to gaurantee. I think people need to learn a bit about what freedom of expression really means. Freedon of expression should NOT be limited by concerns about "hurting the sentiments" of any person or group(muslim, hindu, christian, sikh, or any regional identity). Infact freedom has any real meaning ONLY if you are allowed to talk about controvertial or highly offensive topics without being muffled by the government. The only limit to this freedom of expresion is that people should not be allowed to incite violence through their words(like Modi during the Gujurat riots), and at this point of time that is being done by the extreme muslim groups and not Rushdie.
I feel there is a lack of clarity as to why the video conference with Mr. Rushdie was called off. The organizers said that the decision was taken as per police advice whereas the police claim that they had adequate force to deal with any eventuality. Violence in any form is never welcome especially in a literary festival but still I think the organizers gave in too meekly. If they were sure that this was not going to be about anything that could further hurt the sentiments of those already aggrieved, they should have gone ahead with it and make it clear that what they stand for cannot be cowered by a bunch of extremists posing as the saviour of a religion touted to be under threat from liberals. Several prominent personalities from Muslim communities made it clear earlier in several television debates that they're open to the idea of video hook-up with Mr. Rushdie. But then the concerted opposition of a few got the better of a disorientated majority in the end.
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