Salman Rushdie

gatorcog · Jan 22nd, 2007, 01:04

I'll be visiting India for the first time, leaving mid-February, and I have a silly question.
I told a friend that I was going to tote along a Salman Rushdie novel for the plane trip - Midnight's Children - and he thought it was a dangerous idea.
I don't happen to agree with him; I think he's well respected in in India and even the muslims, I think, have dismissed the fatwa as so much BS. But I thought I'd present this question to this forum anyway just to get the "expert" input. Will taking this book with me make me a target of unwanted attention and/or danger?
I'm glad I came across this great site, BTW, and thanks for all the info I've come across. Especially Mr. IndiaMike, whoever he is.

robotvoice · Jan 22nd, 2007, 01:16

I can't answer because I just don't know. But isn't it a sad day for world politics when you have to worry about what books you can take on an airplane.

machadinha · Jan 22nd, 2007, 01:26

I bought my copy (an Indian edition) over there. This was pre-9/11 (but post-fatwa) btw. Read it on trains and stuff no problem.

I don't suspect it would be any problem, but this is really just my suspicion. Taking the Verses book might be trickier. I think it's a well-respected book detailing the Partition and its traumas yes, to the extent that it will mean anything to people at all. Maybe not take it out in the middle of the Jami Masjid or so

Or a little more seriously: read it in your hotel room in some areas maybe. It might be used more as an excuse to vent some anti-Western sentiments by some I suppose, which are reported to have been on the rise, understandably so perhaps. But getting it through customs or so shouldn't be an issue I don't think.

I think generally Indians have much respect of books and their readers, and your reading an Indian author will be even more appreciated. Having your book passed around the entire train carriage for all to see and comment on is not at all uncommon, can be a great conversation-starter (less so if you were looking for a quiet read).

It's funny, I had similar concerns on a recent trip somewhere else the other way around, wanting to study some Sufi material on my way. In the end I decided to leave the neater editions with Arabic script and illustrations at home, and I found myself worrying about titles going "Islam such-and-so" in a non-English language even.

No one ever looked at my books one way or the other of course. But these are funny times indeed.

Nick-H · Jan 22nd, 2007, 01:38

I got really, really paranoid once because I was eating ham sandwiches on a Kuwait Airlines plain and in the Kuwait airport.

I really expected the anti-muslim activities police to descend and drag me away.

The fact that I hadn't slept for two days before departure probably didn't help --- but we can all get some pretty weird ideas sometimes!

noflylist · Jan 22nd, 2007, 01:49

I was once hassled in US airport overa spy novel in English, pre 9/11! So go figure. One never knows. I would be cautius about Salman Rushdie novel though. Bind title page with paper and try not to discuss it in India

kolobar · Jan 22nd, 2007, 02:05

Midnight's Children is sold in bookstores all over India, same with the rest of his books including Shalimar The Clown. It does not seem to bother anybody. Not so with Satanic Verses which is prohibited to sell in India and might not be wise to carry it around openly. Anyway, as much as Midnight's Children is one of my favourite novels, I have find Verses extremly boring.

icetea · Jan 22nd, 2007, 10:17

This shouldn't be a problem at all, Salman Rushdie is a popular author in India as well, his books are all over bookstores (except the Verses, which is banned). So don't worry unduly.

However, if you think the book might make you feel even slightly uncomfortable during your trip (since you have these thoughts), why don't you just bring another one instead, for reading in public, at least?

You can read Rushdie in your hotel room, what is the use of spoiling your peace over a book...

bijapuri · Jan 22nd, 2007, 10:57

if the book is Shalimar the Clown, I couldn't think of a better book to read while in the mountains of India. or anywhere on the subcontinent, for that matter. It's a lot cheaper if u pick uip a pirate version on the pavement, though Salman won't get the proceeds.

sirensongs · Jan 22nd, 2007, 10:59

Agree with Kolobar - Midnight's Children is sold everywhere. It's only SV that could potentially be a problem. Rushdie books are sold far and wide.

capt_mahajan · Jan 22nd, 2007, 12:22

Agree with kolobar and sirensongs last post.

Not such a strange question... as an example, officials in some middle eastern countries will sporadically ask for non Islamic religious symbols, personal photographs and such to be destroyed at the airport prior entry, besides books.

Noodle · Jan 22nd, 2007, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

officials in some middle eastern countries will sporadically ask for non Islamic religious symbols, personal photographs and such to be destroyed at the airport prior entry, besides books.

Personal photographs? Why those?

SANJAY_DEL · Jan 22nd, 2007, 21:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noodle

Personal photographs? Why those?

Islam does not promote imagery.
Any graphic symbols, esp religious are frowned upon.

gatorcog · Jan 22nd, 2007, 22:02

Thanks for all the replies. I would guess that my peace of mind reading it is a bigger deal than actually having the book with me in India, so I feel better about that. I'm not usually easily intimidated, so I'll go ahead and take the book if I feel like it, or can find a copy. Easy come, easy go.....

Noodle · Jan 22nd, 2007, 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by SANJAY_DEL

Islam does not promote imagery.
Any graphic symbols, esp religious are frowned upon.

Sorry, to sidetrack here. But under 'personal photographs' I understand pictures of myself or family/friends etc - surely they are not religious?

capt_mahajan · Jan 22nd, 2007, 23:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noodle

Personal photographs? Why those?

if you ask me, it is to needle you.

Jan 22nd, 2007, 01:04	#1
gatorcog Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 12	Salman Rushdie I'll be visiting India for the first time, leaving mid-February, and I have a silly question. I told a friend that I was going to tote along a Salman Rushdie novel for the plane trip - Midnight's Children - and he thought it was a dangerous idea. I don't happen to agree with him; I think he's well respected in in India and even the muslims, I think, have dismissed the fatwa as so much BS. But I thought I'd present this question to this forum anyway just to get the "expert" input. Will taking this book with me make me a target of unwanted attention and/or danger? I'm glad I came across this great site, BTW, and thanks for all the info I've come across. Especially Mr. IndiaMike, whoever he is.

Jan 22nd, 2007, 01:26	#3
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,910	I bought my copy (an Indian edition) over there. This was pre-9/11 (but post-fatwa) btw. Read it on trains and stuff no problem. I don't suspect it would be any problem, but this is really just my suspicion. Taking the Verses book might be trickier. I think it's a well-respected book detailing the Partition and its traumas yes, to the extent that it will mean anything to people at all. Maybe not take it out in the middle of the Jami Masjid or so Or a little more seriously: read it in your hotel room in some areas maybe. It might be used more as an excuse to vent some anti-Western sentiments by some I suppose, which are reported to have been on the rise, understandably so perhaps. But getting it through customs or so shouldn't be an issue I don't think. I think generally Indians have much respect of books and their readers, and your reading an Indian author will be even more appreciated. Having your book passed around the entire train carriage for all to see and comment on is not at all uncommon, can be a great conversation-starter (less so if you were looking for a quiet read). It's funny, I had similar concerns on a recent trip somewhere else the other way around, wanting to study some Sufi material on my way. In the end I decided to leave the neater editions with Arabic script and illustrations at home, and I found myself worrying about titles going "Islam such-and-so" in a non-English language even. No one ever looked at my books one way or the other of course. But these are funny times indeed. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Jan 22nd, 2007, 01:38	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,691	I got really, really paranoid once because I was eating ham sandwiches on a Kuwait Airlines plain and in the Kuwait airport. I really expected the anti-muslim activities police to descend and drag me away. The fact that I hadn't slept for two days before departure probably didn't help --- but we can all get some pretty weird ideas sometimes! __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jan 22nd, 2007, 10:57	#8
bijapuri laid traps for troubadours Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Priustan Posts: 2,598	if the book is Shalimar the Clown, I couldn't think of a better book to read while in the mountains of India. or anywhere on the subcontinent, for that matter. It's a lot cheaper if u pick uip a pirate version on the pavement, though Salman won't get the proceeds. __________________ Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential. Barack Obama lookit me!!!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bijapuri/ Utube fuzzy logic: http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=bijapuri&p =r

Jan 22nd, 2007, 10:59	#9
sirensongs Eeny meeny mango Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: All India Permit (somewhere between Delhi & Dharamsala) Posts: 1,213	Agree with Kolobar - Midnight's Children is sold everywhere. It's only SV that could potentially be a problem. Rushdie books are sold far and wide. __________________ *"Why do people go to India to find themselves? India is where you go to lose* yourself."** Feringhee: The India Diaries

Jan 22nd, 2007, 01:16	#2
robotvoice mikeaholic Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: california Posts: 1,171	I can't answer because I just don't know. But isn't it a sad day for world politics when you have to worry about what books you can take on an airplane.

Jan 22nd, 2007, 01:49	#5
noflylist Account Closed on User's Request Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 840	I was once hassled in US airport overa spy novel in English, pre 9/11! So go figure. One never knows. I would be cautius about Salman Rushdie novel though. Bind title page with paper and try not to discuss it in India

Jan 22nd, 2007, 02:05	#6
kolobar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: beside a lake Posts: 155	Midnight's Children is sold in bookstores all over India, same with the rest of his books including Shalimar The Clown. It does not seem to bother anybody. Not so with Satanic Verses which is prohibited to sell in India and might not be wise to carry it around openly. Anyway, as much as Midnight's Children is one of my favourite novels, I have find Verses extremly boring.

Jan 22nd, 2007, 10:17	#7
icetea 'sort of hate India' club member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Chennai, via Romania Posts: 917	This shouldn't be a problem at all, Salman Rushdie is a popular author in India as well, his books are all over bookstores (except the Verses, which is banned). So don't worry unduly. However, if you think the book might make you feel even slightly uncomfortable during your trip (since you have these thoughts), why don't you just bring another one instead, for reading in public, at least? You can read Rushdie in your hotel room, what is the use of spoiling your peace over a book...

Jan 22nd, 2007, 12:22	#10
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,509	Agree with kolobar and sirensongs last post. Not such a strange question... as an example, officials in some middle eastern countries will sporadically ask for non Islamic religious symbols, personal photographs and such to be destroyed at the airport prior entry, besides books.

Jan 22nd, 2007, 22:02	#13
gatorcog Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 12	Thanks for all the replies. I would guess that my peace of mind reading it is a bigger deal than actually having the book with me in India, so I feel better about that. I'm not usually easily intimidated, so I'll go ahead and take the book if I feel like it, or can find a copy. Easy come, easy go.....

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