Conveyed resentment over Rushdie's visit to Centre: Rajasthan CM

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today said he has conveyed to the Union government the resentment of local people and Muslim organisations over controversial author Salman Rushdie's visit to the Jaipur Literature Festival.

"Some Muslim organisations met us and told us about their objection over his visit which I have conveyed it to the government," he said a day after meeting Home Minister P Chidambaram over the issue.

He said the organisers of the literary festival have not given any official details about the writer's proposed visit to the event.

"The organisers of Jaipur Literature Festival have not given any schedule of Salman Rushdie's visit but we would not like disturbance in law and order situation," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

Gehlot said that the festival has potential to grow and the state government will support the literary meet.

"Those who have objection with the (Rushdie's) visit should also discuss the issue with organisers who also understand the feelings and issue," he said.

Gehlot also accused BJP of politicising the issue.

"BJP does politics over this issue but we do not have a remedy for this. He (Rushdie) visited during their regime but they did not speak. They only work to provoke a section of society.

"It is unfortunate that it (BJP) is called an Opposition party because they could not give their principles, policies and programmes in 50 years. They only provoke people in the name of religion, caste, Ram temple and others," he added.

Meanwhile, Rajendra Saiwal, general secretary Janwadi Lekhak Sangh, a writer's organisation, said that the state or central government should not interfere with the author's proposed visit.