Salman Rushdie accuses Indian police of lying about murder threat

Washington, Jan 23 (ANI): Salman Rushdie has slammed Indian police officials for lying about an alleged assassination plot to keep him away from a literary festival in the country.

Rushdie, who has faced protests over his controversial 1988 book 'The Satanic Verses', which is banned in India due to its depiction of Muslim prophet Muhammad, was set to appear at the Jaipur Literary Festival on Jan 20.

The writer cancelled the trip after police contacted him to claim they had received intelligence, which suggested extremists were planning to assassinate him.

"While I have some doubts about the accuracy of this intelligence, it would be irresponsible of me to come to the festival in such circumstances... Will do video link instead," Contactmusic quoted him as saying.

According to The Hindu, it suggests that the plot was invented by cops to ensure Rushdie stayed away from the event, and the writer has taken to his Twitter account to comment on the story.

"'Rajasthan police invented plot to keep away Rushdie' I've investigated, and believe that I was indeed lied to.

"I am outraged and very angry.

"Don't know who gave orders.

"And yes I guess the same police who want to arrest (Indian authors) Hari (Kunzru), Amitava (Ghosh), Jeet (Thayil) and Ruchir (Joshi). Disgusting," he wrote. (ANI)