As noted Mumbai-born writer Salman Rushdie turned 60 on Tuesday, the issue of his being knighted unleashed a welter of words that promised to be as controversial as his novel The Satanic Verses, which turned him into the most protected fugitive in Britain’s literary history.
The familiar voices of condemnation and support for Rushdie were in full flow as reports poured in from Pakistan and Iran, where state and non-state actors criticised Britain’s decision to confer knighthood on Rushdie for services to literature.
British authorities were watching the situation closely, while Scotland Yard sources said the angry reaction to Rushdie’s knighthood meant that a new threat assessment would have to be drawn up for him.
Precautions abroad
Rushdie is expected to be given fresh advice on the precautions he takes abroad, and the unit around him in Britain is likely to be upgraded.
Muhammad Abdul Bari, secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said that many Muslims would regard the knighthood as the “final insult” from Prime Minister Tony Blair before he leaves office next week.
Mr Bari said: “Salman Rushdie earned notoriety amongst Muslims for the highly insulting and blasphemous manner in which he portrayed early Islamic figures. The granting of a knighthood to him can only do harm to the image of our country in the eyes of hundreds of millions of Muslims across the world.”
Damaging decision
Labour peer Lord Nazir Ahmed described the decision as provocative and damaging to Britain’s relations with Muslims. “Actually I was appaled to hear that Salman Rushdie had been given knighthood, particularly when this man has been very divisive.”
“This man — as you can see — not only provoked violence around the world because of his writings, but there were many people that were killed around the world and honouring the man who has blood on his hands, sort of because of what he did, honouring him I think is going a bit too far,” he said.
Gerald Butt, editor of the Middle East Economic Survey, said: “It will be interpreted as an action calculated to goad Muslims at a time when the atmosphere is tense and Britain’s standing is low because of its involvement in Iraq and lack of action in tackling the Palestine issue.”

Pak condemns UK decision
Islamabad, PTI: Britain’s decision to confer Knighthood on Salman Rushdie dominated the proceedings of Pakistan’s Parliament on Tuesday.
“The Pak Senate strongly condemn the blatant disregard for the sensitivity of Muslims shown by the British Government by awarding a Knighthood to Salman Rushdie,” said leader of the House Wasim Sajjad.