Number Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 ISLAMABAD: Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan on Wednesday abruptly cancelled a visit to India after it emerged British author Salman Rushdie would speak at the same conference. Khan was scheduled to attend the India Today Conclave in New Delhi on Friday as a keynote speaker but pulled out, in a move likely to raise further fears among liberals about his brand of politics. A statement from his party said "he could not even think of participating in any programme that included Salman Rushdie, who has caused immeasurable hurt to Muslims across the globe". Organisers announced on Tuesday that Rushdie would speak at the conference, two months after death threats forced him to withdraw from India's premier literature festival. Rushdie's 1988 novel "The Satanic Verses" is still banned in India and Pakistan for allegedly blaspheming Muslims. The 64-year-old writer, who was born in Mumbai, spent a decade in hiding after Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa in 1989 calling for his death over the book. Khan guided his country to a World Cup win in 1992, entered politics after founding his Movement for Justice Party in 1996. In recent months, he has emerged as a credible political voice in Pakistan, unnerving his opponents by drawing crowds of more than 100,000 to rallies in which he has promised a "good tsunami" against injustice and corruption. Khan's popularity comes as Pakistan wilts under attacks linked to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, power cuts, a feeble economy, flood damage, friction between civilian and military leaders and tensions with Washington. Women and liberals have raised concerns, however, about Khan's links with right-wing Islamic groups and his call for peace with the Taliban. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Imran-Khan-pulls-outs-of-India-trip-over-Salman-Rushdies-presence/articleshow/12263119.cms Imran Khan not to attend India conclave: Read organiser's statement Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan on Wednesday abruptly cancelled a visit to India after it emerged British author Salman Rushdie would speak at the same conference. The organiser, India Today Group, in a statement said: We deeply regret that Imran Khan will not address the India Today Conclave because of Salman Rushdie's participation. The India Today Conclave is a platform for free and frank exchange of ideas. We do not endorse the views of any of our speakers but we do stand for the freedom of expression in all that we do; it's an essential principle of a free nation and free media. The 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. Aroon Purie Editor-in-Chief India Today Group http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/imran-khan-not-to-attend-india-conclave-read-organiser-s-statement-185959
Yoda-esque Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Great job by India Today in exposing this fraud.I think they did it on purpose. Anways, the conclave is far too cerebral for his ilk. I remember how the Pak foreign minster got screwed the last time around.
Alchemist Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Imran Khan drops out of Delhi event citing Salman Rushdie's presence Islamabad: Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan on Wednesday abruptly cancelled a visit to India after it emerged British author Salman Rushdie would speak at the same conference. Mr Khan was scheduled to attend the India Today Conclave in New Delhi on Friday as a keynote speaker but pulled out, in a move likely to raise further fears among liberals about his brand of politics. A statement from his party said, "He could not even think of participating in any program that included Salman Rushdie, who has caused immeasurable hurt to Muslims across the globe". Organizers announced on Tuesday that Mr Rushdie would speak at the conference, two months after death threats forced him to withdraw from India's premier literature festival in Jaipur. Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/imran-khan-pulls-out-from-india-conclave-over-salman-rushdies-presence-185952?pfrom=home-otherstories&cp
hari504504 Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Why blame him ? He is an election candidate over there.. who in their right mind would do something as controversial as this at such a time.
Recommended Posts