NEW DELHI: British writer Salman Rushdie taunted Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf chief Imran Khan as unable to handle Rushdie's 'bouncers', after the latter pulled out of the India Today Conclave, NDTV reported on Saturday.
Imran Khan had pulled out of the function earlier in the week after learning that Rushdie too would be present, saying the writer had caused 'immeasurable hurt to Muslims across the globe'.
India Today's Editor-in-Chief had issued a statement, calling Khan's move deeply regrettable.
On Saturday, when Rushdie took to the stage at the Taj in New Delhi, he made it a point to highlight the absence of the former cricketer from the event. "I have to thank Imran Khan. I was going to speak at a less important session. I thank him for this promotion and for vacating this spot."
His tirade against the Prime Ministership-aspirant did not stop there, "Here he is trying to placate Mullah and placate Army while presenting himself as the acceptable face of Pakistan."
"We don't need to give Imran Khan more publicity, which he needs."
Rushdie then went on to compare Khan to deposed Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi, "Have you noticed the physical resemblance between Imran and Qaddafi? Could cast as a slightly better-looking Qaddafi."
The author of controversial book 'Satanic Verses', he recalled Khan's young carefree days, suggesting perhaps that the political leader had been born again, "I would place a substantial bet that he has not read it (Satanic Verses). When Imran was a playboy in London, he was called 'Im the dim'."
He then went on to comment how freedoms of expression were under threat. "In our time, essential freedoms are in danger of society. In India also, not just egalitarian states. Public apathy is also damaging.”
In a veiled jibe at Khan, who had decided to not attend just because of Rusdhie's presence. “Ideally, a writer should not be the subject. Should be the observer, not the observed."
Public agrees with Khan's decision
In an Express Tribune poll, 76 per cent of the voters (1,793 voters) agreed with Imran Khan’s decision to pull out of the Conclave.
COMMENTS (166)
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Love you imran Khan and loved what you said.it was the voice of millions of muslims.may Allah bless you.
We Hate u Rushdie and now we hate you more as you have proved once again that our Hatred was totally right towards you.
Puppets like Rushdie are raised , petted and Fed by west and All in the name of " Freedom of Speech".
What if the same is exercised by Ahmadi Najad to describe Holocust a DRAMA....?
Eh, Imran Khan used Rushdie as a scapegoat to get public approval in Pakistan. Khan seems like a liberal man, I refuse to beleive that he is so incredibly narrow minded and idiotic - it was just a ploy, i don't know which is worse though, being conservative or being a typical cunning politician.
Proves Rushdie wants IK to become PM of Pakistan.
Someone should really collect that "Millions" reward that was offered for making this Shataan disappear sooner than his time in ths world
Have you noticed how much this Rushdie guy resembles Satan. Could cast a slightly better looking Satan.
@Sobriquet: actually rushdie wrote the book at a time when there was a wave of anti islamic feeling sweeping the west, i believe it was at the time of the iranian revolution and the american hostage taking, the man is a publicist the book is a satire of islam and the prophet,, to some people this is not a big deal,,, but to millions it is,, and thats something people who have left religion behind will never understand,,, in reality the book is rubbish and trivial in nature but that's not the point, to the religious minded...
Good decision by IK. We, Pakistanis feel i am the only one who can pass the judgement against anyone. IK boycott the events. It's good decision. Now the people are questioning Why he boycotted? IK should attend the event and answer him in the event. LOLZZ The reality is we are not happy in any act of others especailly IK's. Thousands of articles are against IK and PTI, which give me a chance to think about the politics of PTI. And today i can say this is the only party in Pakistan can do something for Pakistan. Thanx guys to change my mind from PPP, PMLN, MQM to PTI.
@samir siddiqui:
Bravo, samir siddiqui! Very well said!. IK could have won the day & he could have put across his point of view forcefully but he let the opportunity go.
@shaheen1shaheen2: please keep your opinions on our status in india to yourself. lets focus on living happily and not on how you guys have a better life and we dont..we have our problems and we have our strengths that probably you dont living in a singular society. so lets just say we both are happily placed in the countries of our choice by God's will..
Why should have Imran Khan attended? That was his right. The same way Rushdie is gaining 'publicity' by making a big deal out of nothing. Imran doesn't care about such petty issues. He does not need to defend himself. It was his belief, the same way it was Rushdie's 'right' to write that book.
@Mrs Khan: Goodness me! You need a healthy dose of reality. Where did you learn to think like that?
@Yasir Ashfaque: That is exactly what all PTI walas do. That is why they are called trolls!
Oh my god. This is bigger blasphemy than the one already committed. Salman Rushdie surely deserves death now :)
Now this is getting really interesting. Lets see what Col. Imran Khan will say :)
Guys, chill. Salman is world recogonised author, and Imran is a world recogonised sportsman.So no point running any of them down. certainly not SR, who has so much intelectual ability. Imran should not have run away from an intellectual discusion. Somehow from the overwhelming anti SR comments here, it seems that pakistanis do hate SR a lot whether they appreciate Imran or not. So people, Just chill. let hate get dim and dimmer. and let freedom of speech prevail.
If Rushdie has guts he should criticize people who are there not those who are not present. In fact if he really has guts and hates Muslims so much he should criticize Ahmadinajad even behind his back lol rushdie should be ignored.. not features in our newspapers.
He seems to be suffering from a chronic inferiority complex. Why take cheap shots at Imran?
This Means how important Imran Khan not only to the Pakistan but also to the world. That was a sort of slap on the Rushdie's face by the Great IK.
Yup, we expect this from the disgraced man (Salman Rushdie).
@Hamza: What about the Cricket stadium you are having in Gaddafi's name
@Obaid: Local muslim population cried when Sir Rushdie wanted to be part of Litrature festivcal in india but what happend now to them., it is just a political gimick understand why cannot now they bark when Rushdie landed in india [ since election got over in UP, Punjab, UK ] not even muslim loving Congis bothered about it issues. so thumbs up to Mr. Sir. Rushdie people will see the hypocricy of Congis
Imran khan is not "Im the Dim" anymore. He could have easly stayed away from that conference in a quiet way. He took a deliberate decision to go to the media guys to tell the world why he is not going. He knows that will get him votes in the election from the Pakistani populace which gets easly swayed by people doing things to "protect" their religion. He has made fools of every body. This act proves that Im is not dim anymore but Im is the cunning fox who understands the psychology of his voters.
Wow, what an attention seeker! IK did the right thing. Rushdie stooped so low as to compare IK with Gaddafi. Instead of talking on the topic, he passed personal remarks against Imran. UP's CM Yadav and Omar Abdullah also boycotted the event.
Rushdie is an aunt compared to Imran. He hasn't done anything productive like Imran Why even give him notice he doesn't deserve it.
Im the dim is the only informative piece, else Imran,s decision not to go there is much appreciated, regardless whetever any one says about IMRAN. This nonsense Rushdie still waits for Khomenini's fatwa to have the final fate.
hey guys, surf through the channels.Have you heard Zakir Naik criticize hinduism and even insist that the Prophet is actually an Avtar of a hindu God.!!!!!!!!!!!What not he says just so to convert and also to impress poor muslims while he holds them in rapt attention by just puking out stuff from Wiki.The hindus cant be bothered as nothing is blasphemous .Those who believe can voice their views and those who dont also can voice their views ..A good religion will withstand it if taken in the right spirit.
I don't know how does the satan look like. We know the satan only by his misdeeds. Satan in appearance will not be diffirent from that of rushdi, or vice versa.
ET Please stop giving this Rushdie guy the publicity!
@IndianKid: Look there is nothing divine about freedom of speech "thingy" i have no right to be provocative about your belief and opinions in the name of freedom of speech.Not everything said with a funny face and smile happens to be funny one should be able to draw line between humour and bullying.
Writers like Rushdie , Ayaan Hirsi and Douglas Murray thrives on provocation in the name of freedom of speech one shouldn't be surprised by Rushdi's aloof and snooty comments.
Well sais Rushdi, u r the real hero of freedom of expression.
@murttd - It is obvious India is the liberal land to hate Christians and Muslims by burning Churches and Mosques.
Rushdie was implying that imran khan has dictatorial tendencies like gaddafi. He was using the similarity in looks as a metaphor. The "Im the Dim" thing took the cake. :-). Classic acerbic Rushdie.
Falcon,
Satirizing a religion may makes you disrespectful, but it doesn't make you unintelligent.
His literary contributions speak for themselves, but due to the 'blasphemous' nature of one of his books, you're unable to judge the overall quality of his ideas and writings in an unbiased manner...refusing to admit that disrespectful or not, he is kind of a genius.
I hope Imran you´ll just ignore him ..Silence is the best answer sometimes!
Why do people hate Salman Rushdie?? Has anybody read his book? If so can you post the para from his book that is offending..I've not read it!! I can then decide if i had his opinion, his book or him!
India is a liberal and land of free speech. Be it ex-muslim, ex-hindus, ex-chrisitians, ex-religious everybody has the right to comment. Salman Rushdie keep it up !
Well, come to think of it, IK, as he grows older, does resemble Qaddafi.
@Loneliberal PK: My friend. If it all it takes to be an intellectual heavyweight is to bash other religions, world is full of those. But honestly it is more of a shallow publicity stunt. Truly, it is otherwise; wisdom is a name of understanding and loving everything in existence rather than hurting others, which unfortunately Mr. Rushdie has done.
@faraz mehmood:
Political compulsions(alliance with religious parties in Pakistan) AND also probably he has no answer to the questions of Rushdie.
Well wisher,
It wasn't political wisdom, it was a publicity stunt to show off his 'Muslimness'. And at the same time, to avoid the a verbal joust with intellectual heavyweights (not just Rushdie) that would've easily dwarfed him at the conclave.
I agree. I agree. I agree.
Comparing Imran to Qaddafi seems to be a cheap shot. It does not make sense. Looks like someone is angry.
Who cares if Rushdie said this, He isn't sane anymore.
i didn't voted in favoure of the Khan decisions nor against because i don't have read the book'
but as intellectual has said " it is the mark of an educated person to entertain the thoughts of other without accepting it" i think there is nothing wrong in attending the conference instead it was a golden opportunity for Khan to debate with Rushie on the issue if Khan would have read the book which i couldn't aspect. i am the staunch supporter of Khan's despite that i am disagree with his this decision. i can simply say this decision of Khan as a "decision of Mulla's"
Seriously, Imran does look like Qaddafi:))
im pakistani and i love salman rushdie. he's one of the greatest living writers of the english language that we have. His prose is unequaled by any other in my vastly read opinion and im also sure like him, that imran khan hasnt even read satanic verses. i was actually looking forward to voting for him until he revealed himself to be some one who instead of taking pakistan forwards, might actually take it backward.
It is interesting that he is criticizing IK only whereas other Indian politicians also have refused to share stage with him. This shows this guy's bias. Rushdie, you are pathetic just like Indian supporters of you especially on this forum.
What kind of an event would invite a looser like rushdie......let imran khan aside why do other people listen to him.....making rushdie popular for nothing....
IK's withdrawl really seems to have ruffled a few feathers and then Rushdie talks about 'freedom of expression'....IK withdrew from the event which was his right so what's the big deal? And for the Indians, Omar Abdullah and Akhilesh Yadav also did not participate but everyone is banging abt IK. Dimwits!
It is a brave decision of IK. So oh rushdi stop barking, i salute IK for this decision
lol @ 'Im the Dim Khan'... now that's just hilarious!
No harm in being compared to Qaddafi. Infact should be an honour. He is revered in Pakistan. We have the largest and most beautiful cricket stadium in the heart of Lahore named afer him!
India is great country who invites every person who is intellectual may b IK or Rushdie,we feel horrible when Muslims cant hear criticism of religion
Being compared to Qaddafi would be offensive anywhere outside of Pakistan.
Salman Rushdie is a downgraded person in muslim world. Its 100% Imran Khan's write either to attend or not. Comparing Imran with Qaddafi is just nonsense. Imran Khan is our national hero.
Imran Khan is not a hero but a zero. He do not know crisis management. Opposition shouts at government to get votes and once they occupy the same position, they behave worse than others. A real statesman should advice the government to solve the problems, and not fooling the people promising removal of corruption in 19 days, making people rich in 20 days, bright future in 21 days and end of the road in 22 days.
Rushdie remarks about IK are in very poor taste which shows his petty thinking and warped mind-setup even though he is bracketed amongst the top writers. IK has shown political wisdom by pulling out of the conclave and why should he put at stake his ultimate goal ?
Congratulations to Imran Khan, and PTI too. After TALEBAN KHAN, you got a brand new title, QADDAFI KHAN. Sounds Good !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Ali Wazir, No one is worshipping Salman Rusdie in India. He is of Indian descent. He comes to India as often he wants and there has been no problem before even with our sizable muslim population. No one gives a damn in India. But this time it was hijacked by some right wing hoodlooms in Jaipur literary fest and since then it has carried on.
Like everything else in India he is much loved and also much hated.
Mr Akhilesh Yadav, Omar Abdullah and Imran Khan chose not to attend solely because of electoral reasons. These 'fine' politicians do not care if they can, or how they can, fix the basic problems of their voters. They only need to ensure they do not offend muslim voters(especially in Pakistan). Which is a bit sad.
I mean you just have to look at comments, people are happy about IK's decision of boycotting the event. So how does exactly is IK's decision of boycotting linked with solving Pakistan problems? And how is it brave? Its just all emotional brouhaha about a non issue really. There are muslims in England and Western world and in India, do you think they care!! Majority do not.
@Yousaf Khan: Imran Khan does not hate Rushdie, he is just exercising his right not to attend a function he feels is beneath him. Rushdie is not worth it.
Imran wasn't destined to attend and thats it,we all agree and believe that its our Creator who makes all the decisions for us,as for Mr Rushdie, he's mentally unwell( my personal view) and shouldn't be taken too seriously....ever.He's got some serious issues that need to be resolved so please do not pay the attention to him that he so much wants.I advise India's Government to take the responsibility of Mr Rushdie's treatment for mental instability what with the reverence they smother him with always.Well...who cares about what he blabbers... Pakistan Zindabad, Imran Khan Paindabad..!!
I have read all of his books and I must say they are mediocre. He was catapulted to fame due to anti prophet rhetoric in Satanic Verses, or else he would have been forgotten by the world long long back.
I bet most Pakistanis rambling about Salman Rushdie would not have read his book. This 'hurt mentality' needs to dealt with. If some one is hurt then stay hurt. You have a choice you can ignore the person disdainfully if you do not agree with something.
Coming to Imran, I am surprised how hypocritical that person can be. He has no qualms of having company with dimwits and grossly communal famous 'defense analyst' but would have a problem attending an event where Salman Rushdie was invited. Will Imran stop coming to TV channels who invite others who insult and denigrate minorities and their religious beliefs. After all the same logic can be used in this case as well.
Finally, freedom of speech cannot be qualified by rules. Voltaire said, “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
Imran Khan's time is too precious to be wasted on mean spirited people like Rushdie. Pakistan backs IK for his decision!
Why is Imran so inclined to boycotts!!
Quite a 'petty' character. Anyone who causes hurt to people's religious, social or cultural beliefs is an 'extremist' in his or her own accord and Mr. Rushdie has done just that through one of his writings. So I don't quite see why he's gone so low down with his critique on IK merely because he decided to not attend a conference. Petty man!
I didn't call Rushdie short bus for nothing.
Imran Khan being compared to Qaddafi, who's the dim here! Rushdie go back to your Alice the Wonderland. Lolz.
Seriously! Who cares about "I want to go on ramble, so listen to me" Rushdie, Although I do wonder who in ET does.
I'm no member of PTI, but please ET if you want to be seen as a sensisble news source be more objective about PTI/Imran Khan. We didn't see you highlighting the news in British media about Zardari when he went to UK. Some objectivity please!
shut up Rushdie...
It's amazing how much support Imran has garnered from the Urban centers.
If the same popularity prevails in the rural centers, he might win the next elections.
Then Pakistanis can congratulate themselves for electing a charismatic hollow box!!
@IndianKid:
".....Freedom of speech must always win...."
In my subjective view Salman Rushdie is a bad writer & worse individual. But, he not only has the right of free speech but he also has the important right to offend. There is no way his right to offend is less than that of painter M.F. Hussein or of speakers like Hafiz Sayeed or Bal Thackeray though all of them belong to different categories..
The more these good for nothing authors increase their slander, the more I want to vote for Imran Khan. Imran is being criticized from all the not-right sections of the society, just invigorates by support of IK.
of course. he participated in the conclave when Mr.Modi was a member before. What happened now?
A news which is not even worthy of getting published makes 'headlines' at one of our top e-newspaper. This is honestly ridiculous! Rushdie is simply not important enough to make it to headlines for defaming Imran Khan. E.T seriously needs to think about their policies!
@Asad: Is that a threat? Have you read The Satanic Verses?
Im the Dim, I like the name. Rushdie would have Im the Dim for breakfast in a debate, no wonder the Dim one ran away from a debate.....
Rushdie, just let it go. You're acting like a high school chick who was spurned by this popular blonde at a party. I expect more from writers, rather than egotistical rants from someone who hasn't come up with a decent book since The Midnight Children. Not to say I don't agree with him regarding Imran Khan--he is dim and he's likely just using Rushdie's presence as an excuse not to go--but clinging to the non-issue and making childish quips is simply in bad taste.
IK our hero...SR is just trash...plz ignore him...
Rushdie is malicious.
So this is what it takes to be knighted these days, the maturity of a school boy, arrogance, and disrespect to Muslims in any shape or form.
How dare you talk about imran khan and trying to put him down.Come to pakistan and people will teach you freedom of speech.
To me Rushdie looks like a younger osama bin ladin with both have redical views and resembles face.
I wish that Salman Rushdi had left Imran Khan left him alone to 'celebrate' his sense of his personal 'greatnss' and service to the cause of his brand of 'Muslims'. Good the man did a ridiculous thing by not being there-------and he knows it--------Rushdi did not need to rdicule hime anymore and add on to his and his supporters embarrasment. However, referenec to Qadafi was interesting---wasn't he also, too, full of himself 'green book' and all?
Why ET is giving space to Rushdie...??
Poor guy doesnt know that in our part of the world, it is taken as a compliment.
shows the desperation and pettiness of Rushdie; Imran Khan has made a VERY valid point about him. In the West we don't tolerate certain topics like the Holocaust. He may have just undone Rushdie's claim to fame - Rushdie's desperation low blows speak volumes
Rushdie does not need imran khan to get publicity, he is well known notoriously in islamic world and world over. imran is mainly know in few cricket playing countries.
“Have you noticed the physical resemblance between Imran and Qaddafi? Could cast as a slightly better-looking Qaddafi.”
There is an uncanny resemblance. There is a Hollywood movie being made on Qaddafi. IK can audition for the role.
So what kind of headline is ET running for this article???. ET seems like The Sun n Daily Star Newspapers of england lol. If u've read these two papers then u will know what i mean
Last week, I was waiting for the elevator in an american university. Out comes Rushdie. My friend (also pakistani) approached him from the back to say hello... Rushdie turned white -- he looked like he was overcome with fear by being approached by two pakistanis. My friend just wanted to say hello to the "celebrity" and the old man calmed down. He may talk a good game but It seems to be a very scared little man.
@IndianKid, if he had wrote bad things about your Hindu gods, would you have had said the same thing. He may be a good writer but freedom of speech doesn't mean you go about insulting others.
India Today doesn't know what trouble they have put Imran Khan in? Khan is answerable to his supporters and people of Pakistan...Plus some people were objecting over the way IK refused to attend the conclave saying he should have shown a tolerant and moderate face of Pakistani masses but it's now confirmed that he's a liberal looking Taliban. Had Khan gone to Delhi then all his opponents would have started a propaganda in his absence saying that he's an attention seeking traitor and shameless apostate in someway. I bet PML-N,PPP,MQM,JUI-F,JI,ST...all of them would have started a vicious campaignagainst IK on their YouTube channels,facebook groups, blogs etc.... 'Chith bhi meri,pat bhi meri'
As far as Salman Rushdie is concerned, did any famous Indian Muslim celebrity attend the conclave?I don't think that SRK,Amir Khan,Saif Ali Khan,Salman Khan,Irfan Pathan or anyone else would have loved to see Rushdie's face either. The writer just wants attention of the masses and therefore now he picked on Imran Khan and targetted his personal life and past too. How low can Rushdie get.
@MarkH: Certainly, but it's funny how Rushdie goes on with his rant against IK for 10 minutes and in the end says that we should not give importance to IK. Strange Rushdie didnt see the irony of it
A relevant article in Pioneer;
Beware of this Khan
Thuumbs up to imran khan. Imran khan Zindabad pakistan paindabad.
@Omar: Yaar, don't take it so personally. You don't need to defend IK that emotionally. They were buddies in a previous life but all that understandably changed one SR wrote Satanic Verses.
Rushdie is trying to destroy Pakistan. If he has any shame or self respect he should go to Pakistan and make whatever statement he wants to make.He is an insult to Islam.
You cannot disagree with the statements per se:
When Imran was a playboy in London, he was called ‘Im the dim’.”
“Here he is trying to placate Mullah and placate Army while presenting himself as the acceptable face of Pakistan.”
Rushdie should get a life.
Why has Salman Rushdie thrown such a hissy fit about IK not going to India? It is IK's prerogative to go ,or not, to the India Today Enclave. Rushdie has shown himself to be a small,petty,sorry excuse for a human being ! He has shown his true side....intolerant,pompous,abusive and self absorbed ! I'm so glad Imran refused to go !
Well done IK. The entire muslim world should be proud of him. IK has done tremendous insult to Rushdie for refusing to attend the same event as him. Rushdie feels insulted and is trying to put up a brave face by criticising IK. IK all the way...it would be a travesty if doesn't get the chance to lead the country. Come on guys....bring him into power.
@Yousaf Khan: I've read the book and thought that it was incredibly badly written. We need to stop giving Rushdie so much attention.
IK will get back to him harshly....don't worry Rushdi, soon you will get bouncer as IK is specialist in that....
oh SNAP! PTI just lost the HUGE rushdie lover Pakistani vote bank....LOL Free Publicity ppl, IK just renewed his Good Muslim credentials. Do you have any idea what Fazl Rehman or Qazi would give to be spoken ill off by the likes of Rushdie. If Rushdie truly wanted to give IK trouble he should have called him Pakistan last hope, PML N would have thanked their lucky stars. In all good decision by PTI a sticky situation averted.
@IndianKid: LOL mowgli, you gained Independence in 1947, this is not the British Raj any more son.You can drop all the "Sir" business....
And what use is freedom of speech if all he was going to do was whine about Congress whine about IK ,whine about Rahul whine about Omar abdullah, whine about Akhilesh for having better things to do then listen to an Dull,aging , self possessed,mean has-been. I thought his speech was very condescending towards India and Indians. Lol Silly Indians still willing to worship anyone with an English accent.
@Omar: All other things aside, that line of yours doesn't fit. Imran Khan instigated it by publicly commenting. Rushdie returned the favor. It was his business.
I agree on the point that there is significant similarity in the looks of Imran and Gadaffi. Who know, Imran may become the Gadaffi of Pakistan. On a serious note, Mr Imran khan should have attended the symposium and presented his views.
This type of stupid news should not be published.
SHAME ON RUSHDIE FOR SUCH A LOW REMARK ON OUR HERO!
Every pakistani loves Imran whether they agree with him politically or not.!!! Imran was our hero and will be our hero! please DO NOT compare imran to anyone!
I think the whole of Pakistani web runs on IK and PTI. You go to big forums like Siasat.pk..all you see is Imran Khan everywhere. It isn't only this site
LOL...Rushdie just took Khan pulling out of the event to heart...
@IndianKid: the act of imran khan was in no way against the freedom of expression of anyone, actually him not coming was his way of expressing his feelings, and in that case you should respect his freedom to express himself in anyway he feels appropriate. the thing that is not good about him not attending this seminar is that it shows his intolerance to multiplicity of opinion.
@IndianKid,
Freedom of speech doesnt mean that you start insulting others, or disheart other people, you can share your views but you dont have right to disheart others feeling.
IK zindabad.
Rushdie is a symbol of hatred and disgrace. Imran Khan has done a great job to excuse from the session. I am sure there are many good people to spend time with.
Who cares what rushdie says why is this news even here?Oh i forgot rushdie bashed IK so how can ET not publish it.
Crossing our arms, pouting and saying "Mein nahin bolta tum se" (I won't talk to you) is ostensibly the new national policy. Imran Khan in particular has a nasty habit of boycotting events instead of meeting the dissenters face-to-face.
He was not being invited to Rushdie's beach-house for a BBQ and bromance. He had been invited to an important conclave that could have provided him a valuable opportunity to speak out for Pakistan's interests abroad, and to boot, bolster his own influence. If Mr.Morality has no qualms shaking hands with home-grown religious extremists, he shouldn't have a problem with simply being at the same event as a writer he doesn't like.
"“I have to thank Imran Khan. I was going to speak at a less important session. I thank him for this promotion and for vacating this spot.” A well-deserved taunt!
@IndianKid Try giving it the local Muslim population in your country
Imran Khan could have done a better job by going to the conclave and then getting his point of view across regarding Salman Rushdie. This act of his defies the very concept of multiplicity of opinions.
A bad move by imran khan!
As Rushdie's Satanic Verses is banned in both India and Pakistan, few people in the two countries would have read it. Yet critics, such as Khan, are convinced that it caused ‘immeasurable hurt to Muslims across the globe’. Rushdie has not written anything new; so Imran should first read Rushdie's work and try to understand the historical context of the Satanic Verses before making populist statements.
The deluded Rushdie everyone....
I agree with Sir Salman Rushdie. Freedom of speech must always win.
Imran strives for the betterment of Pakistani people and good relations with Pakistan's neighbours. Salman rushdie strives to offend muslims in particular and people of faith in general, thus negating his otherwise talent as a writer. In that context, rushdie should be ignored by people of Pakistan.
ET...I think your web site only runs on articles related to IK and PTI..never seen so much obsession with other parties and leaders..shows how much popular PTI is and ET is cashing it on to that..just see the amount of comments any news or article related to IK and PTI is published...good at least some one is getting benefited..
Imran Khan has done a good job on burning Rushdie up. LOL
Imran Khan didn't do himself any favors by throwing his little hissy fit. He's showing himself to be erratic, increasingly aligned with the mullahs, and quite vague about exactly how he will tackle all the challenges faced by Pakistan if he were elected. Of course, given the 20th amendment, Imran's election should probably be considered as a "Black Swan" event - a catastrophe whose mitigation lies in the extremely miniscule probability of its occurrence.
“We don’t need to give Imran Khan more publicity, which he needs.” Well said! . . . Which person, other than Rushdie, would know about and is getting publicity by stirring controversy.
Who care what Salman Rushdie says. Imran Khan is a Pakistani Hero and there is no need to be around Rushdie. Pakistanis are not interested in Rushdie. Imran Khan is a smart leader, he knows what he is doing and Pakistanis trust him. . . no need to waste time with Rushdie, there are other important things to focus on. Imran Khan Zindabad! Jeeway Imran Khan! Pakistan is waiting for IK. May God Bless you Always!
how can india invite this person to speak,pakistan must summon indian ambassador and register protest.again proved india is fascist country which hurts feelings of muslims,i can feel pain of indian muslims they are treated as second class citizens and their feelings are not respected.
Actually I always noticed a big resemblance in Qadafi and Rushdi - siamese twins I reckon!
Imran Khan did a childish act and now he is being ridiculed.
Dear ET, In this news piece second line you have spelled Rushdie as "Rushie" ! need I say more..
bla bla bla...It is becoming a trend now a days... To become famous in five minutes, all u need to do is talk or write about Imran Khan......
imran khan should not have boycotted the event.He should not be blinded by hate so much that he can't sit and talk with other people.There are billions of people in this world,you can't agree with everything the other person says,but you should have the courage to not let your hate of anyone cloud your ability to talk in a civil manner with them. People have the right not to agree with salman,but that disagreement with his views shouldn't be taken to such extremes as imran has taken it,that he can't sit and have a civilised discussion with salman.
A good decision by Imran for not attending such a function. Rushdie should stop weeping like a child..........
It's funny the religious bunch accuse an author of being hateful and then hate him back as if that makes them better people. They are full of hate and you don't even recognize it. Imran should have had the courage to go to the forum and debate the author in a proper manner to explain to the author where he had made a mistake. This on the other hand is just childish behavior.
Nobody's even read the book.. just decided based on group thinking we all hate him because mullahs somewhere decided we should.
How rude is this Rushdie guy! Huh!
Public agree with Khan's decision - End of story! No matter what whoever says!
It is simply below Imran's dignity to reply to this!
Of course they do; they don’t want Imran humiliated.
Mr Rushdie's depravity is well known. He has shown how small he is by criticizing Imran who did not participate as was his right. Mr Rushdie must know that if he is entitled to his opinion so are others. Such a petty man.
Some one at ET really loves Salman.