Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday denied allegations that the Rajasthan police had concocted a story about an assassination plot in order to keep the celebrated author Salman Rushdie away from the Jaipur Literature Festival.
In a conversation with The Hindu , Mr. Gehlot said:
“We received at least seven extremely detailed reports from the Intelligence Bureau telling us that certain persons were making their way to Jaipur to eliminate Mr. Rushdie. The first of these detailed warnings was dated December 28,” he said.
“More detailed reports followed on January 7, 13, 16, 18 and 19. We also received a separate report form the Home Ministry in Delhi. Mr. Rushdie made up his mind after he was told of these reports. I do not know what was said in the emails sent to him by the organisers. To suggest that the Rajasthan government concocted a story to keep the author out is completely false and unfair.”
