Salman Rushdie Knighthood

The knighthood awarded to Salman Rushdie by the British government is indeed a very courageous decision irrespective of whether it estimated the reactions the awarding of the knighthood to Rushdie would generate in the Islamic world. Britain is now having to deal with violent reactions in the Islamic world and intimidation from Islamist groups. Without getting into the debate on the merits and demerits of Rushdie as a writer, I would like to say that it is the sovereign prerogative of the British government to decide whom to knight. The Islamic countries have no right to dictate to Britain to rescind the decision. Pakistan's Religious Affairs Minister's ambiguous statements, in a way, justifying suicide attacks on Rushdie after this 'honour' being bestowed upon him, are appalling and highly condemnable. The issuing of death fatwas in India against him are totally against the law of the land and encourage violence.The Islamic world should not give undue publicity to Rushdie and his knighthood. Britain certainly shouldn't succumb to these kinds of despicable and violent pressure tactics practised by elements in the Islamic world.