Maharashtra government to initiate action against Salman Rushdie?

The Maharashtra government might take action against Indian-born writer Salman Rushdie who used strong language against Jnanpith Award winner and Marathi litterateur Bhalchandra Nemade in a tweet.

"It is necessary to take action against the tweet. The Home department is considering it," said Cultural Affairs Minister Vinod Tawde to a newspaper.

The controversy started after Nemade criticised the literary merit of some of Rushdie’s works on February 6. A day later, an angry Rushdie tweeted: “Grumpy old b*****d. Just take your prize and say thank you nicely. I doubt you’ve even read the work you attack.”

Tawde had on Monday said the use of language in Rushdie’s tweet was unacceptable and condemnable. "All literature lovers must object to the use of such language," Tawde rsaid.

Nemade had also dismissed the literary works of V S Naipaul. The Marathi writer had earlier stoked another controversy by suggesting that English be eliminated from the education system, claiming that many other languages across the world were dying because of it.

The BJP-Sena state cabinet on Tuesday also decided to felicitate Nemade for bagging India’s foremost literary award. "We plan to hold a mega event in Nemade sir’s honour,”" Tawde said.