Rushdie's travel plans are up in the air courtesy protests planned by different Islamist groups - with some even promising a hefty reward if a shoe is thrown at him.
"There should be a ban on Rushide from coming to India. He (Rushide) has not apologised so demand to ban him in India is a welcome step," VC of Darul Uloom Abul Qasim Nomani said.
Darul Uloom Deoband officials said, "If Rushide apologises only then we can decide whether he can be allowed to come to India."
Artists are calling for support for the Booker Prize winner who may now show up on January 23, not the opening day, as planned.
But it's not just about the Rushdie show or no-show. Like every year, the Jaipur Literature Festival can boast some huge names.
There's also the best-selling writer and guru Deepak Chopra, Michael Ondaatje of 'The English Patient' fame. Richard Dawkins - one of the foremost evolutionary biologists and author of the best-selling 'The Selfish Gene' as well as Ben Okri - author of 'The Famished Road'.
From the sub-continent - Mohammed Hanif, Fatima Bhutto, Girish Karnad, Kiran Nagarkar will be present.
This year estimates suggest 40,000 people could be attending! It remains to be seen how Diggi Palace, which hosts the annual jamboree, will cope up.
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