BENGALURU: The stabbing of prominent writer Salman Rushdie by a fanatic in New York on Friday has come as a rude shock for people across the world, drawing condemnation and public outcry.
The 75-year-old Booker Prize laureate is currently on a ventilator battling for his life as he has copped severe nerve damage. The stab wound has damaged his liver and he may lose an eye, Rushdieโs book agent Andrew Wylie told the media.
He was stabbed in neck on stage when he was about to deliver a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution.
Rushdie has been the target of ire of a section of Muslim fanatics ever since he wrote the book โThe Satanic Versesโ in the 1980s.
A host of world leaders has expressed shock and dismay at the attack, and hailed him as the โchampion of free speechโ.
Reacting to news of the attack, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: โAppalled 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.โ
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.
โ Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 12, 2022
โFor 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,โ wrote French President Emmanuel Macron.
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.
โ Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 12, 2022
Rishi Sunak, UK MP who is for prime minister, said, โShocked to hear of the attack on Salman Rushdie in New York. A champion of free speech and artistic freedom. Heโs in our thoughts tonight.โ
Former UK PM Tony Blair condemned the attack as โhorrible and utterly unjustifiedโ.
Taking to Twitter, US Senator Chuck Schumer said, โThis 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.โ
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 Mr. Rushdie quickly and fully recovers and the perpetrator experiences full accountability and justice. https://t.co/44q1DomFsu
โ Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 12, 2022
Indian Member of Parliament, Shashi Tharoor, also expressed his grief and wished Rushdie a speedy recovery.
โUtterly horrified and shocked by the stabbing of Salman Rushdie. Wish him a speedy and complete recovery from his wounds, even though, with a sinking heart, I recognize that life for him can never be the same again. A sad day, worse if creative expression can no longer be free and open,โ he tweeted.
Utterly horrified & shocked by the stabbing of @SalmanRushdie. Wish him a speedy & complete recovery from his wounds, even though, with a sinking heart, I recognize that life for him can never be the same again. A sad day, worse if creative expression can no longer be free &open.
โ Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 13, 2022
