Leading Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband on Friday dubbed controversial author Salman Rushdie's cancellation of his visit to India as a "victory of democracy".
"It is a victory of democracy because some Muslim organisations, including Darul Uloom Deoband, had opposed the visit to India in a democratic way," Vice-Chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband, Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani said.
The Islamic seminary had on January 9 asked the government to stop Rushdie's visa as he had allegedly hurt religious sentiments of Muslims.
Rushdie, 65, who had earned the wrath of Muslims worldwide due to his novel 'The Satanic Verses', was set to attend the Jaipur Literature Festival.
He later cancelled his visit to India for the Jaipur Literature Festival citing threats to his life, ending days of speculation over his participation in the event.
"Salman Rushdie's decision to not visit India is a wise one, and is good for the country. However, we demand that the person who hurt the religious sentiments of crores of people should never be allowed to set foot on Indian soil," Vice-Chancellor Maulana Abdul Qasim Nomani said.
"We request the government to prevent Rushdie from entering the country in the future, as such people are harmful for society and our nation," he said.
The Deoband had demanded a life ban on the author on January 11.
Several Muslim groups, including the Deoband, were protesting against Rushdie's entry in India and participation in the literary event since the last few days.
The Booker Prize-winning author had earlier attended the Jaipur Literature Festival in 2007, without much fuss.
Other Muslim groups like Jamat-e-Islami Hind and Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind also welcomed the cancellation of the visit.
"The Rajasthan government should have been more sensitive to the demands of the people and refused to allow Rushdie to participate in the event," Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind's Maulana Arshad Madani said.
"We welcome the decision, but are disappointed by the attitude of the Rajasthan government. It should have taken the demands of the people seriously and refused to allow Rushdie to visit the country," he said.
