Imran Khan refuses to attend India conclave in Salman Rushdie's presence
In a statement released by senior PTI leader Shireen Mazari, Khan cancelled his participation as a key note speaker at the conclave stating that he could not even think of participating in a program that included Rushdie, who has caused "immeasurable hurt to Muslims across the globe".
Quoting Khan, Mazari said that the party leader received the full program of the conclave last night and made his final decision early this morning.
Khan has expressed regrets to the organisers of the program.
India Today regrets Khan's withdrawal from event
India Today Group’s Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie on Wednesday said, "We deeply regret that Imran Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Tehreek-i- Insaf will not address India Today Conclave 2012 due to begin in New Delhi from March 16 because of Salman Rushdie's participation."
In a statement issued, Purie further said, "India Today Conclave is a platform for free and frank exchange of ideas. We do not endorse views of any of our speakers but we do stand for freedom of expression in all that we do; it's an essential principle of a free nation and free media. India Today Conclave now in its 11th year has established itself as an independent and credible forum for thinkers and leaders from around the world, not all agreeable to everyone. We wish that Imran had used this opportunity to express his views at the Conclave with all the force and lucidity that he possesses. We can all agree to disagree but we must present our argument."
On Tuesday, the organisers of the event had announced that Rushdie will speak at the conference on a speech titled “The Liberty Verses – I am What I am and That’s All That I am”.
Rushdie’s 1988 novel “The Satanic Verses” is still banned in India for allegedly blaspheming Muslims.
Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor and US former diplomat Henry Kissinger are also due to speak during the two-day event at the luxury Taj Palace hotel.
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COMMENTS (273)
@Maryam: just prove your this statement!
freedom of speech without limits and ethics is as dangerous as freedom of action which may result in terrorist activities ...... any indian british national if speaks or acts against their country would the state or people allow , they should not call him traitor ??.. its coo l freedom freedom freedom ... should we remove every moral ethical religious legal code,,, free people n enjoy freedom u want this LIBERALS....????
Very disappointed with Imran Khans decision.All those supporting this are obviously not looking at the bigger picture. we are a country of emotional fools - whatever happened to freedom of speech - why cant we "agree to disagree." I wouldve have supported Imran if he had attended and spoken his mind - rather then act like a child and refuse to go! Sorry Imran Khan but you just lost my vote!
Talking about freedom...no Islamic country gives the freedom to build places of worship to other religions. Also if anyone chooses to leave Islam...his punishment is death. Islamic scholars routinely talk about how other religions are false, but throw a huge fit when others say something they don't like. The matter of satanic verses was recorded by Muslim scholars. Since it is already in existence, Rushdie may have found it acceptable to incorporate it into his book. Why not address the real source of the verses? Why do we only see the faults in others and not in ourselves?
How many of those who bash Rushdie in every forum possible have actually read the book?
It's just politics. However, this move would cost him a great loss of liberal votes. But on the other hand, he hardly had one in the first place.
With all this hoopla around Salman Rushdie, do his haters even know why they hate him, or they parroting what they have heard (and thus giving up their own will and personal choice)?
If the objection is on the basis of the book Satanic Verses, then aren't the REAL satanic verses a true incident in the life of our Holy Prophet PBUH? What's WRONG with writing about an event from Sunnah? Seems to me my dear conservative fascist brothers and sisters are confused and/or ignorant about our own religion i.e. Islam. May Allah help them find guidance!
@Adnan: You are so rite Mr Adnan. Love you for putting up such an apt comment
Pakistani liberals are confused bunch ...
Btw Good Descion By Kaptan :-)
Freedom of speech does not mean insulting other people's religion. Imran Khan vote bank would have suffered if he attended India Today Conclave with Rushdie! He only attends events where he may improve his vote bank.
Sensible & excellent decesion IK...... there is a well known quote for this particular situation "Don't argue with idiots. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you".
Captain IK. I am prude to be in your team. You are the leader Pakistan need for last 65 year. May Allah give you health and long life. Our prayer are with you all the time. I will be running LA marathon on your motivation.
Imran Khan doesn't have the gravitas or the equanimity to speak at a conclave in the presence of such intellectual heavyweights. It's so much easier to childishly cross your arms and walk away, than to rationally counter people with dissenting views.
I know you we hate Rushdie, and I won't say that your annoyance with him is completely unreasonable, but in all fairness he is one of the English greatest writers in the world today. Sorry if his presence disappoints you, but the world doesn't revolve around you alone.
Petty, pathetic and puerile. That's all I have to say.
Freedom of Speech? Why they never invited late F M Hussain who was forced to live/die in exile because of Hindu extremists? . Freedom of expression should not be limited to anti-Muslims!
Very good..it means he can go to the next 'Difa-e-Pakistan' rally himself instead of sending a representative :)
As for the fan business..even if he wasn't a fan of Imran Khan..he could have been like a lot of people. Please keep in mind that before Satanic Verses, Rushdie's book 'Midnight's children' was already considered a groundbreaking work in literature. He must have had a lot of fans and Imran might well have been. So there is no reason to get so worked up about this
just politics. why he marries yahudi.just politics.
What a sad experience to see the comments here----this is supposedly educated folks here, I must say I'm amazed to see the closed minds. They are so terribly limited and narrow that even education could not induce any independant thinking here. My only hope is that this represents only those 'born again' few, otherwise we who really care about a Pakistan as we know and cherish it, must prepare themselves either to die to protect it or kiss it goodbye and let it sink into that horrible ditch of religiosity.
Salman Rushdie is too viral to be joined in for a discussion.
Yes, this is a very wise decision made by Imran Khan. At least we have some sane person among us.
@Maryam: in past i used to watch porn movies ...sooo
@Tribune Reader: given notoriety to rushdie by being there, this is not what IK had in mind. and i'm perfectly fine with it, but again you won't understand....cheers!!!
Can anyone of the above geniuses quote me one passage from the book "Satanic Verses" which you think is blasphemous?
If by miracle you seem to take a personal offence to some passage, can you please elaborate why?
The only fault of Salman Rushdie is blaspheming in the book, but speaking against organized Religion, that includes Christianity. Quite right he is. Religion has replaced spirituality in people's life.
Stop acting like people belonging to a cult and stop abiding by popular opinions of your fellow members.
Think different. Freedom of Expression is supreme! At least is in India.
@American Pakistani:
so sad, not really, what's really sad is your sad state of mind. where ones thinking becomes so fogged up with his own identity, that he finds it conveniently easy to blame rather then stand up and make a difference. ask your self why IK chose not to engage with a man, who for 2 decades has demonized and cashed in on the expense of muslims and he was from one of us. now what parallel you want IK to talk to him about that he doesn't already know. mullah and terrorist, where did that came from?
bad decision by boycott khan :(.
Imran Khan was a brave leader on cricket field with innovative ideas.But it seems he is just an average politician taking the easy popularist way.
Exemplifying the intolerance that plagues our society. Well done IK, thanks for reinforcing my decision to not support you or your party
@Mumbai Dude: hey dont u think freedom of expression must have some limits ???? and if that limits are crossed , the oppents have right to make appropriate response. .. hmm ??
@well-wisher: Turkey is not a muslim country rather a secular country. The Muslim Koranic law has been replaced with European civil code, drawn from several countries.
Imran Khan was a brave leader on the cricket field with innovative ideas. But it seems he is just an average politician taking the easy popularist way.
@amrit: amrit cola; plz be reasonable
@Maryam: Who told you he is a fan Ms. Maryam Nwaz. You need to have a detail study on subject matter.
real intellectual don't live in hiding. what is his contribution to humanity? india today conclaves could have done without him. seems like anything derogatory toward muslims is acceptable and promoted. in todays Europe the denial of HOLOCAUST is a serious crime for the right reasons. Mr Arun Puri with india having a population of 300 million muslims, what's your obligations to them. PS: IK is better of with out having any association with scum bag name salman rushdi!!!
@Maryam: If he has learnt to stand, its a sign of his improvement.
True use of freedom of choice. WELL DONE KHAN.
No stance on "Henry Kissinger's attendance" at that conference?? =O Not to forget, Henry K who is a war criminal and whose evil foreign policy views is one of the backbones of the current neo-liberal war hawk stance of the past, and current US administrations.
...And he has no problem sharing the rallies and getting support of killers from DPC...Gud going IK..u r ideal to rule the 180 million treacherous fanatics.
It's simply astonishing how the entire Muslim community can get offended by something they haven't even read. I'm not going to defend Rushdie or criticize Captain Khan - Rushdie's plot was indeed a little insensitive to Muslims and Captain Khan needs votes. But the hate and outrage Muslims expound against Rushdie is unbelievably ridiculous.
Calm down, guys. He just wrote something offensive. That's all.
Bad call, cap. Sorry, major dislike.
Yes, how stereotypically rightist of Imran. At least, he didn't threaten to torch the Taj down. Democracy is about dialog, about expressing ideas freely, and about accepting parallel worldview. Judging by the poll here, even by the relatively liberal standards of the Tribune readership, there is overwhelming support for Imran. A sad country.
Politically correct decision.
IK giving in to mullahs and terrorist. So sad.
@QB: You like what you see without seeing it for what it is. The perfect PTI supporter outlook. Count through them. See how many are just generic lines from his supporters that he automatically gets each time that literally never change. I'd throw myself out in the middle of traffic if you can find one article that doesn't have at least 20 or so complete copycat first responders. That's not including the stragglers. It'll probably come out to something like 30 actual comments on a good day.
@Khan: Khan, we arent policing.
We are saying we won't be a part of this, it is our right to say no.
Dont be fooled into belieiving that anyone will be allowed to confront him. Plus the undue rousing welcome that he will receive will put any muslim at unease.
I have nothing against any human being, but if his words / actions hurt our most precious / sacred Prophet PBUH, I should have the right to say no.
We meet people from other faiths, there is nothing wrong in that but if those same people turn abusive, we will choose not to meet them or share space with them.