British monarchy stupid, archaic: Rushdie

Sep 26, 2010 |

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London: In comments that can rake up yet another controversy, Indian-origin author Salman Rushdie has termed the British monarchy and its traditions as 'stupid' and 'archaic'.

The author, winner of the Booker of the Bookers, who has a penchant for controversy said in an interview to The Sunday Times: "The monarchy and its traditions are archaic.. stupid... a British oddity".

Asked, then why did he accept the knighthood, Sir Rushdie, now a British citizen, said he had received an honour from the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in France, and it would have been extraordinary to accept something from the French state and "then refuse something from my own country".

The 63-year-old author thought the ceremony itself was a bit ridiculous, 'all structured around this furious archaic thing of queens and knights, all a bit stupid, but it's what we do'.

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