Salman Rushdie is a well-known author who has faced violence and threats due to his critiques on Islamic beliefs. In a recent interview with “60 Minutes,” he expressed concern over a new form of censorship that is emerging from the progressive left.
Rushdie himself has been a victim of censorship when he was brutally attacked in 2022 for his book “The Satanic Verses,” which some felt insulted the Islamic religion. This attack was carried out by an extremist who believed it was his duty to defend Islam. Rushdie suffered multiple stab wounds and lost vision in one eye as a result of this attack.
According to Rushdie, what is particularly alarming about this current moment is that censorship is not only coming from conservative voices, but also from the progressive left. He noted that there are individuals who believe certain forms of speech should not be allowed because it may offend vulnerable groups. This growing orthodoxy is pushing for censorship, but Rushdie argues that this can have the opposite effect, particularly on minority groups.
Rushdie believes that being exposed to different ideas and opinions is crucial for a healthy society. He argues that censorship can limit our ability to learn and grow, and that we should instead approach offensive speech by choosing not to engage with it. He also warned against what he calls the “offense industry,” in which people use their feelings of offense to silence others.
One of the main causes of this form of censorship may be the issue of identity politics. Rushdie believes that taking offense has become a way for minority groups to express their identity, which can lead to the suppression of free speech. He believes that instead of trying to suppress speech, individuals should be responsible for managing their own feelings of offense.
Rushdie’s alleged attacker is believed to have ties to Iran, a country that has been openly hostile towards him ever since the publication of his book. In 1989, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for Rushdie’s death due to what he perceived as blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed. In 2012, an Iranian religious foundation even increased the bounty on Rushdie’s head to $3.3 million.
Despite facing constant threats and attempts to silence him, Rushdie remains one of the strongest proponents of free speech. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has praised him as a major advocate for this fundamental right. Rushdie believes that protecting free speech is crucial for maintaining a healthy and open society, and that censorship should not be tolerated, no matter the source.