Bhardwaj not in tune with Chidambaram, lauds Nehru's 'true image' Rajiv Gandhi

Former law minister Hansraj Bhardwaj on Sunday rubbished former union minister P. Chidambaram's assertion that it was wrong on part of Rajiv Gandhi-led government in 1989 to ban Salman Rushdie's book 'The Satanic Verses', saying he is proud of the former prime minister who was true image of Jawaharlal Nehru.

"I am proud of Rajiv Gandhi. He did the right thing. What were you getting by selling the philosophy of Rushdie? I outright reject this philosophy because you show certain religion in retrogration," he said.

Bhardwaj highlighted that the nation could progress only if it took everybody together devoid of their caste or religion.

"It is in the nation's benefit not to retrograde any community, however small it may be. Do not attack any religion, you have to take everyone together. It would not be appropriate if we leave behind our Muslim brothers just to momentarily please Rushdie," he added.

Lauding Rajiv Gandhi, he said there is no one till date who is as forward looking as the former prime minister.

"He was the true image of Nehru ji," he said.

Speaking at Times Lit Fest here yesterday, Chidambaram had said, "I have no hesitation in saying that the ban on Salman Rushdie's book was wrong...Even 20 years back, I would have said the same thing."

The author later asked how many more years it would take to correct the 'mistake'.

"This admission just took 27 years. How many more before the "mistake" is corrected?" Rushdie tweeted.

A major controversy had erupted in 1989 after the release of the book 'satanic verses' when several Muslims accused it of blasphemy and mocking their faith

In 1989, the then Congress government had banned the book for its purported attacks on Islam.