I don’t know if he should have been granted a knighthood but he surely deserves praise. Every one has a right to an opinion whether it insults someone’ religion or not. There’s nothing wrong with criticizing Rushdie’s literature or beliefs or opinions but calling for his death and threats of terrorism is idiotic. The governments of Pakistan and Iran are calling on Britain to revoke the honor which is truly laughable. Britain should claim that they have been insulted by members of Pakistani government issuing death threats against a British citizen.

The real issue is that Muslims have to learn to not be so easily offended and threaten others with death over ‘Blasphemy’. Can someone even define Blasphemy? Muslims can be accused to ‘Blasphemy’ against other religions. Muslims certainly don’t hesitate to criticize and offend others so why are they always up in arms when others are offensive to their beliefs. Get over it! It’s just a fictional novel. The Christians and Jews don’t cry murder if someone ‘insults’ their Gods or prophets.

Those of us Packies who do not think his writings justify accolades for him should NOT vote to award him a Pakistani prize. Those of us who do think he is deserving SHOULD vote.

We Packies, still suffering so debilitatingly from our (for want of a better phrase) post-colonial hangover, obsess about Inglish thingz and Inglish pipplez and Inglish happeningz. I doubt we would have reacted so vociferously if the man had received the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun, or the Mexican Aztec Eagle, or the Norwegian Kings Medal of Merit (gold or silver).

Angrez hamari falan falan mar ke chalay gaye, but we still revere them for some inexplicable reason. Phittay munh hum sub ka.

Just as Rushdie should have the freedom to write, other people have the similar right to voice their opinion, be it in the form of a book, an article, a procession on the street or loud cries of anger and hatred.

I am so sick of the pseudo-intellectuals and desi liberals.