India's main opposition Congress Party has urged the government to review the issuing of a visa to British author, Salman Rushdie.

A senior Congress Party leader Arjun Singh said that a review was in the interests of the country.

Correspondents say it's the first criticism from a mainstream opposition party of the government's decision and comes in the wake of growing Muslim protests.

Mr Rushdie's book "The Satanic Verses" is considered blasphemous by many Muslims and is banned in India.