New Delhi : Salman Rushdie, May Not To Attain, The Jaipur Literature Festival

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New Delhi : Salman Rushdie, May Not To Attain, The Jaipur Literature Festival, Salman Rushdie has announced that he will not be attending the Jaipur literary festival, which started in the north-western Indian city on Friday, because of fears that he was being targeted by killers sent by local underworld figures.

"I have now been informed by intelligence sources … that paid assassins from the Mumbai underworld may be on their way to Jaipur to eliminate me," Rushdie said in an announcement read out to journalists at the festival. He said he had some doubts about the reliability of the information, but that it would be irresponsible to come to the festival in the circumstances.

Celebrated author Salman Rushdie will not attend the Jaipur Literature Festival, which began in Rajasthan's capital on Friday. Rushdie issued a statement through the organisers of the festival saying that he will not be coming to the event.

New Delhi  Salman Rushdie, May Not To Attain, The Jaipur Literature Festival

"Very sad not to be at jaipur. I was told bombay mafia don issued weapons to 2 hitmen to "eliminate" me. Will do video link instead. Damn," Rushdie tweeted.

Jaipur Literature Festival organiser Sanjoy Roy made the announcement saying that Rushdie decided not to attend as there is a threat to his life in India.

Although there is no official announcement yet, the sources said that the British Indian novelist may keep away from the January 20-24 event scheduled at the Diggi Palace Hotel.

The sources gave no details but spoke as Rajasthan Chief Minister told Home Minister P. Chidambaram in Delhi that Rushdie's presence could spark off trouble.

"I don't have any official information about whether Rushdie is coming or not. There is no official communication to us... There is a reaction among the locals, they don't want Salman to come," Gehlot told reporters after the meeting. Gehlot said his Chief Secretary was in touch with the organisers of the literature festival that is a five-day affair from January 20 to 25. 

"No state government will want a law and order situation. I have informed the Centre about the prevailing sentiments," Gehlot said. The announcement of Rushdie's visit to the popular festival had invited the wrath of India's top Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband, which appealed to the government to decline the author a visa as he had hurt sentiments of Muslims in the past. 

Muslim groups have come out against the visit by Rushdie, whose fourth novel, "The Satanic Verses" (1988), led to major protests from Muslims in many countries after a 'fatwa' by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989.

Organisers of the popular Jaipur Literature Festival, however, admitted that Rushdie "will not attend" the first day of the event.