Writers Hari Kunzru, Amitava Kumar, Jeet Thayil and Ruchir Joshi read extracts from the book to protest against Mr Rushdie's withdrawal, leading the festival organisers to distance themselves from the readings.

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This year, the festival will host internationally-renowned authors such as Booker Prize-winner Ben Okri, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Kumonyakaa, British Book Award-winner Hari Kunzru, Moroccan writer Abdelkader Benali, famed poet Beth Lisick and travel writer Peter Moore.

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