The Indian organizers of one of the largest literary festivals in Asia cancelled a televised speech by author Salman Rushdie just minutes before it was scheduled, due to the threat of violent protests.

Rushdie was set to address the Jaipur Literary Festival in the western Indian state of Rajasthan on Tuesday, but some Muslim groups opposed the speech.

The British-Indian author cancelled his visit to the festival last week after Indian intelligence officials told him that assassins were heading to Jaipur from Mumbai.

Rushdie's 1988 book The Satanic Verses was considered blasphemous by many Muslim leaders. The Indian-born author spent years in hiding after Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for his death. The book is still banned in India.

The festival's organizer, Sanjay Roy, said Tuesday that Muslim activists had gathered outside the festival entrance and protesters had infiltrated the crowd with plans to disrupt proceedings and cause violence should Rushdie address festival-goers via video link.

Roy said he felt hurt and disgraced but had no other choice but to cancel Rushdie's speech. The festival venue's owner, Ram Pratap Singh, said the decision was taken after being advised by Rajasthan police.

Some of Rushdie's fellow authors at the event showed their support for him by reading out passages of the The Satanic Verses last week.