Archive · 9 Dec 2025
Salman Rushdie Criticizes Hindu Nationalism in India
Salman Rushdie, a famous author, was interviewed by Mishal Husain, who is related to him.
In the interview, Rushdie talked about his worries regarding India under Prime Minister Modi.
He mentioned that he feels India is going through a tough time, especially concerning freedom of speech and the way history is being told.
However, his views are based on what his journalist friends in India have told him, not his own experiences.
He compared the current situation to a difficult time in India's past called the Emergency, but some people disagree with this comparison.
Rushdie also did not criticize Islamic radicalism, which has threatened him in the past.
Instead, he focused on criticizing Hindu nationalism.
Some people think his views are influenced by Western ideas and not by what is actually happening in India.
Salman Rushdie expressed concerns about India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, based on information from his journalist friends.
He claimed that journalists, writers, and intellectuals face attacks on freedom in India and that the state wishes to rewrite history to favor Hindus.
Rushdie compared the current situation in India to Indira Gandhi's Emergency, a period of dictatorship, which some argue is an unfair comparison.
He did not criticize Islamic radicalism, the ideology behind his own attack, but focused on criticizing Hindu nationalism.
Rushdie's views are seen as influenced by Western perspectives and selectively informed sources rather than personal experience or direct observation.
- Who
- Salman Rushdie, a renowned author, and Mishal Husain, a British presenter with family ties to Rushdie.
- What
- An interview discussing Rushdie's views on India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on concerns about Hindu nationalism and free speech.
- When
- The interview was conducted on 5th December.
- Where
- The interview was published by Bloomberg.
- Why
- Rushdie expressed concerns based on information from his journalist friends in India, highlighting perceived threats to freedom of speech and the rewriting of history.
- Author
- Salman Rushdie
- Interviewer
- Mishal Husain
- Date of Interview
- 5th December
- Source of Concern
- Journalist friends in India
- Comparison Made
- Present-day India to Indira Gandhi's Emergency
- Notable Figures Mentioned
- Rana Ayyub, Siddique Kappan, Arfa Khanum Sherwani, Umar Khalid
- Ideology Not Criticized
- Islamic radicalism
- Author's Residence
- New York and London
