ABSTRACT

Controversy over The Satanic Verses started in late September 1988 and built up to a crescendo by mid-February 1989. Then, a month later, the issue dropped from sight, though its effects continued to be felt long after. Protests against The Satanic Verses began even before the book's official British publication, on September 26, 1988. The odd thing was that although the novel had been out for months in the United Kingdom, and Rushdie was living in London, British property was not attacked. Similarly, Rushdie accused the leaders of the demonstration of exploiting religious slogans for political ends. Rushdie's last public appearance was at a memorial service for Bruce Chatwin. More to the point, a number of groups sponsored by the Iranian government declared their determination to execute Rushdie. The British government withdrew all its personnel from Tehran and demanded that the Iranian representatives leave London. It did not break diplomatic relations, but insisted on what it called reciprocity at zero.