The author faces threat from homegrown terror outfits as well as organisations with political interest. Vicky Nanjappa reports.
Intelligence Bureau reports suggest that controversial author Salman Rushdie could be a victim of a homegrown terror attack in case he decides to take part in the Jaipur Literary festival.
Rushdie has been on the hit list of militant organisations from across the border because of his controversial writings. However, in case he decides to visit to India, there is a possibility of homegrown terror outfits targeting him, said IB sources.
Rushdie's visit could be an opportunity for both homegrown jihadis and also some organisations with a political interest to attack him. Rushdie remains an emotive issue among the Muslim population in India and targeting him would be considered as a sign of victory.
Sources have said that groups such as the Indian Mujhaideen would try and target him for very obvious reasons. Since their inception five years ago, the terror outfit has always portrayed themselves to be protectors of Muslims.
After every terror attack the outfit has raked up issues like atrocities against Muslims in Gujarat and Kashmir, and the Babri Masjid demolition.
Attacking Rushdie would do wonders for them. Not only will they win the support of many fanatics, but they would also get international recognition. Hence the threat perception from them is extremely high, said IB sources.
The other danger for the well-know author is from groups such like the Darul Uloom Deoband. This group could try and target Rushdie with an eye on the approaching Uttar Pradesh elections. They would try and look to attack him just the way the Majlis-e-lttehad Muluslimeen did in the case of author Taslima Nasreen in Hyderabad. Any such attack would give them the mileage they have been looking for.
In case Salman Rushdie decides to attend the Jaipur Literary festival the venue could also come under attack, say IB sources.
Jaipur is no stranger to the works of the Indian Mujahideen, which has managed to successfully carry out a horrific attack apart from setting up several of their modules there.
