Washington [US]: Renowned author Salman Rushdie who faced death threats from Iran because of his novel “The Satanic Verses”, was attacked in New York State on Friday morning during a lecture has left literary figures and public officials in shock.
Salman Rushdie known for his free expression was stabbed in the neck while onstage to give a lecture at the Chautauqua Institute in western New York. “Appalled that Sir Salman Rushdie has been stabbed while exercising a right we should never cease to defend. Right now my thoughts are with his loved ones. We are all hoping he is okay,” UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a tweet.
Also read: Salman Rushdie On Ventilator, Likely To Lose An Eye After Attack
Rushdie, an Indian-born-British writer, has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to literature in 2007.
Home Secretary of UK, Priti Patel said, “Shocked and appalled to hear of the unprovoked and senseless attack on Sir Salman Rushdie. Freedom of expression is a value we hold dear and attempts to undermine it must not be tolerated. My thoughts are with Sir Salman and his family.”
“Shocked to hear of the attack on Salman Rushdie in New York. A champion of free speech and artistic freedom. He’s in our thoughts tonight,” UK PM candidate, Rishi Sunak said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport of the UK, Nadine Dorries called the incident “horrifying”. She also said that this is an awful attack on a literary giant and one of the great defenders of freedom of expression.
“Thoughts with @SalmanRushdie and his loved ones,” Dorries added.
Taking to Twitter, US Senator Chuck Schumer said, “This attack is shocking and appalling. It is an attack on freedom of speech and thought, which are two bedrock values of our country and of the Chautauqua Institution. I hope Rushdie quickly and fully recovers and the perpetrator experiences full accountability and justice.”
Khaled Hosseini, an American novelist said that he will pray for his recovery. Calling him an essential voice, Hosseini said that he is horrified by this attack on Rushdie.
“Horrified to learn that Salman Rushdie has been attacked at a speaking event in upstate New York. Wish him a speedy recovery,” Amitav Ghosh, an Indian writer, tweeted.
“I just learned that Salman Rushdie was attacked in New York. I am really shocked. I never thought it would happen. He has been living in the West, and he has been protected since 1989. If he is attacked, anyone who is critical of Islam can be attacked. I am worried,” Taslima Nasreen, another writer tweeted.
President of the French, Emmanuel Macron tweeted, “For 33 years, Salman Rushdie has embodied freedom and the fight against obscurantism. He has just been the victim of a cowardly attack by the forces of hatred and barbarism. His fight is our fight; it is universal. Now more than ever, we stand by his side.”
