'Fatwa' justifying protests against Rushdie visit

"All Muslims, without flouting the law should oppose through every possible means, the visit of the person who used insulting words against the prophet so that he cannot set his foot in this country where crores of Muslims live," Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangimahal of the sect said.

He further said that India is a secular country and every citizen had the right to raise his voice under the ambit of the law.

The move comes close on the heels of opposition of the visit by key Muslim religious organisations including the Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband and the Barelvi sect. Noting that the visit will hurt the sentiments of Muslim community, Deoband had earlier sought cancellation of Rushdie's visa to stop him visiting the country.