Rushdie's book, The Satanic Verses, was considered blasphemous and evoked a fatwa by the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeni, calling for Rushdie's death in 1987. The book was subsequently banned in India and the British author has since been living in seclusion.

Casting aspersions over the Centre's `bold' decision to grant a visa to Rushdie, Jamiat-i-Islami chief G M Bhat suspects a deliberate attempt to provoke the Muslim community. ``How can the decision (to grant visa to Rushdie) be termed right when it goes against the wishes of nearly 30 crore Muslims,'' said Bhat.

Inspite of dissent from Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi,the Bharatiya Janata Party and its ally Shiv Sena maintain that permission to Rushdie to visit India is a step in the right direction. Ashok Gupta, J&K Shiv Sena chief says: ``Muslims are not bothered whether Rushdie visits India or not. Only a minuscule section of people is trying to create an issue out of it for petty gains.'' Gupta went a step further and favoured the writer's visit to the State. ``Rushdie was born in India. How can we deny him the right to visit the country of his birth?'' he said.

Reacting strongly to state Shiv Sena chief's viewpoint, All Party Hurriyat Conference leader Abbas Hussain Ansari said, ``Speaking of rights, have the Shiv Sainiks forgotten their protests over the screening of the film Fire? It seems as though the BJP Government is trying to appease western nations even if it means hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community. Rushdie's visit will trigger a chain of violence in the country.''

Despite the Congress high command being non-committal on the issue,State Congress leaders have expressed their resentment over the Rushdie affair. Party leader Mehbooba Mufti called upon the Government to reconsider its decision. Warning of further Muslim alienation, the Congress Legislature Party leader equated granting visa to Rushdie with the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992. ``Rushdie's visit can create a serious law and order problem in the country and also jeopardise friendly relations with the middle-eastern countries.''

A majority of the ruling National Conference leaders The Indian Express spoke to were not supportive of the BJP's decision to allow Rushdie's visit, but refused to speak out openly.

Given the recent hostilities against Christians, many feel the BJP will burn its fingers with the Rushdie issue.

The National Conference general secretary, however, feels the matter should be handed over to the clergy. ``The NC is a political party and has no role to play in religious issues. It is the clergy which can issue a fatwa on Rushdie's visit,not we.''

As regards the law and order problem in the State, he said: ``That is the Home Ministry's concern. I am sure they kept the law and order situation in mind before granting a visa to Rushdie.''