“It (the video link) is on for now, but we are talking to the government,” an organiser said. The issue was discussed with Muslim groups, who were invited for the video conference.

Rajasthan Home Secretary G S Sandhu said: “The Satanic Verses is banned, and the organisers have to take permission.” Senior officials added that while they had no problems, the organisers would be held culpable if Rushdie made inflammatory remarks or read from The Satanic Verses.

Salim Engineer of the Jamait-e-Islami Hind said they were fine with the idea “in principle”, “as long as Rushdie makes no inflammatory remarks”.

At least four complaints have been filed in Jaipur courts against the four authors who read out an article containing passages from The Satanic Verses and one of the organisers, Sanjoy Roy.