Rushdie's planned appearance at the Jaipur Literary Festival has sparked an outcry among some Muslims who consider his 1988 book 'The Satanic Versus' blasphemous.

Last week, Darul Uloom seminary leader Maulana Abdul Qasim Nomani urged the government to bar Rushdie from the five-day event that starts Friday. The 150-year-old seminary preaches an austere form of Islam that has inspired millions of Muslims, including the Taliban.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of Rajasthan said protesters' feelings should not be ignored and that Rushdie should stay away due to security concerns.

The 64-year-old author has attended the annual festival previously without incident. He has said he does not need permission or a visa to enter or travel within India.

Festival director Namita Gokhale said Tuesday the invitation to Rushdie stands. ''We certainly hope he'll be there,'' she said, though his planned Friday appearance has been shifted due to changes in his schedule. Gokhale would not give more details about when he might show.

Organisers called the controversy an ''irritation,'' and said they were discussing security measures with authorities to ensure the safety of all who attend.

''Every liberal person in this country needs to stand up and be heard,'' organiser Sanjoy Roy told Indian broadcaster CNN-IBN. ''We are becoming a very shrill nation'' that calls for banning and burning ''stuff we don't like''.