Lit Fest Cancels Rushdie Video, Fearing Violence

The organizers of an Indian literary festival have canceled a video conference with author Salman Rushdie after protests and threats.

Sanjoy Roy said Tuesday they decided to cancel the video address to avoid violence by Muslim activists gathered at the Jaipur Literary Festival.

Rushdie had originally planned to attend the festival in person despite opposition from some Muslims who consider his 1988 book "The Satanic Verses" blasphemous.

Rushdie said he called off his trip after police sources told him of a possible assassination threat. He planned to address the festival by video conference instead.

Roy said the organizers had been threatened with violence if they went ahead with the video link.