After cancelling his visit to India citing threats to his life, author Salman Rushdie today said he was 'very sad' not to be in Jaipur for the Literature Festival and was 'sorry' if people felt that he let them down.
Immediately after festival organisers read out a statement by Rushdie announcing his decision to not travel to Jaipur as planned, the author expressed dismay on the microblogging site twitter.
"Very sad not to be at jaipur. I was told bombay mafia don issued weapons to 2 hitmen to 'eliminate' me. Will do video link instead. Damn (sic)," posted Rushdie.
Within minutes, the twitterspace was flooded with reactions expressing outrage at the author's decision. In response, Rushdie posted another tweet.
"Much support and sympathy: thanks,everyone. Some say I let people down: sorry you feel that. Some Muslim hate tweets: pathetic," he said.
The Booker-Prize winning author also reacted to a post by novelist Hari Kunzru and Amitava Kumar who tweeted that Rushdie's absence from the festival is 'a stain on India's international reputation' and suggested holding a reading of the Satanic Verses at the Jaipur Durbar Hall.
"About to defy the bigots and shoe throwers, reading @SalmanRushdie Satanic Verses with @amitavakumar on stage at #jlf," posted Kunzru.
Rushdie wrote a thank you message to both of them. "@harikunzru @amitavakumar Thank you both very much."
Journalist Vikas Bajaj tweeted that AmitavKumar had read out 'some bits from the Satanic Verses on how to turn London into a tropical city'.
In an angry comment targeted at a tweeter who posted an offensive post, Rushdie wrote, "@samirumisamir:to even consider visiting India, housing many faithful Muslims, shows how insensitive, empty headed u r! Go preach in Israel."