Muslim scribes in Chennai want Rushdie's knighthood to be withdrawn

CHENNAI: Opposing the knighthood to the writer Salman Rushdie, a forum of Muslim journalists on Wednesday asked the British Government to withdraw it.

In a memorandum to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, submitted to the British Deputy High Commission here, the All India Forum of Muslim Journalists strongly demanded withdrawl of the Knighthood bestowed on Rushdie.

The forum expressed the hope that the British government would graciously make amends by withdrawing the knighthood "in deference to the sentiments of Muslims worldwide" and not turn a deaf ear to the pleas and protests of Muslims.