Protests in Kashmir against Rushdie's knighthood

Scores of demonstrators march through the centre of Srinagar to protest India born author being knighted by the British government.

Scores of demonstrators on Thursday marched through the centre of this Jammu and Kashmir capital to protest India born author Salman Rushdie being knighted by the British government.

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The protesters walked through the city centre Lal Chowk carrying placards saying "Down with Rushdie. Down with Britain and down with the enemy of Islam and humanity". They also burnt an effigy of the writer.

Kashmir's Grand Mufti, Moulana Mufti Bashir-ud-din, had also on Wednesday condemned the British government's honour to Rushdie, whose novel "The Satanic Verses" angered Muslims across the world.

Urging Britain to withdraw the award, he declared that Rushdie was "liable to be killed" for hurting Muslim sentiments.

He appealed the world to ban and burn all Rushdie's all publications and asked bookshops here not to sell or display his books.

Joining the chorus of criticism, the Hizbul Mujahideen has called for a protest strike Friday.

Syed Ali Geelani who heads the hardline faction of the separatist Hurriyat Conference said: "The award to Rushdie by the British government is a highly mischievous act as it hurts the sentiments of millions of Muslims across the world."