New Delhi - Salman Rushdie's controversial novel "The Satanic Verses" has reappeared in bookstores in New Delhi, 36 years after the Indian government banned it. The book, deemed blasphemous by some religious groups, sparked protests worldwide when it was first published in 1988.

A limited number of copies are currently available at Bahrisons Booksellers in New Delhi. The book's reappearance has sparked interest among readers, with some citing its historical significance and the importance of free speech.

One buyer, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their personal connection to the book, stating, "This is a very famous book, people haven’t heard about it. I feel a personal connection to this book because the author, Salman Rushdie, hails from my region, Kashmir." They emphasized the importance of intellectual exploration and social change, adding, "To that extent, I feel it is the right time for a social change and for all those politically motivated people to understand that there is no politics behind it and they need to see that every religion has good and bad and one needs to talk about it."

Another buyer expressed a desire to understand the book's content, stating, "The importance of knowledge always remains in life, no matter what kind of knowledge it is. It doesn't matter whether it is historical or otherwise. The most important thing is that I believe knowledge is neither new nor old and it should be accepted whenever it is found."

The book's ban in India holds historical significance. "It's important to stand up for free speech, it's important to stand up for writers irrespective of whether you agree with them or you don’t agree with them," said a reader who was an assistant editor at 'The Statesman' in Calcutta during the book's initial ban. "So, the whole idea is that I wanted to capture this moment. Unfortunately, India, under Rajiv Gandhi, was the first country in the world to proscribe 'The Satanic Verses'. It holds that dark distinction."

"The Satanic Verses" tells the story of two Indian immigrants in London who are caught up in a battle between good and evil. The novel's content, particularly its portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad, led to protests and calls for a ban from religious groups. The book was eventually banned in India in 1988 under pressure from these groups.

The book's reappearance has sparked curiosity among readers, with one stating, "It's quite infamous, so to say, but I believe until and unless you read it, you won't really understand what the problem was or what was there to hide about it. So, it's often something enlightening when some, you know, books like these come under your eye, and then you want to read it."