Congress steers clear of seminar demand for Salman Rushdie visa cancellation

The Congress today steered clear of the Darul Uloom Deoband's demand for cancelling the visa of controversial author Salman Rushdie for his proposed visit to India later this month.

"The issue concerns the Government of India and it was for it to take a decision on it," party spokesperson Rashid Alvi said.

Islamic Seminary Darul Uloom Deoband today said the government should cancel his visa as he had "hurt" religious sentiments of Muslims in the past.

Rushdie, 65, who had earned the wrath of Muslims worldwide due to his novel 'The Satanic Verses', is set to attend the Jaipur Literature Festival this month end.