The Issue of Blasphemy

explicitly states a punishment, not a reward, for those who differentiate between God and His Messenger (4:150). The Politics of the Procession Muslims across various parts of India, including Srinagar and Bombay, staged protests against Salman Rushdie (February 1989). However, in these protests, many Muslims became enraged for various reasons and resorted to violent actions. They broke the law and even threw stones at the police, resulting in the police opening fire and causing the loss of precious lives. These acts of violence were undeniably absurd. It is important to note that India was the first country to ban Rushdie’s book, even before Pakistan and Iran did so legally. With the practical ban already in place, one may question the rationale behind protesting against the book in India. The leaders of these agitations naively claimed that their procession was not against India but against Britain, stating their intention to file a written complaint with the British High Commission. This excuse only further highlights the incompetence of these leaders. It demonstrates their lack of wisdom while seeking to assume leadership roles. It is a recurring pattern during such processions or rallies that the individuals involved are not in a normal state of mind. They tend to overestimate their power and are driven by “mob psychology.” Because of this, those who participate in these agitations in large numbers often develop a sense of superiority, viewing