Salman Rushdie’s condition was not immediately known. (File)
New York:
Salman Rushdie, the Mumbai-born author of the Booker Prize-winning novel “Midnight Children”, was stabbed in the neck during an event in New York. The attack happened when he was getting ready to deliver a lecture. Rushdie, 75, who suffered years of death threats after the controversial book titled “The Satanic Verses” was stabbed several times by a man on stage while he was being introduced at the event of the Chautauqua Institution in Western New York, New York police said.
A video posted online shows attendees rushing onto the stage immediately following the incident. The attacker is said to have been restrained by those on the scene.
Rushdie’s condition is not currently known.
Here are the updates on attack on Salman Rushdie:
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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday said he was “appalled” by the stabbing of writer Salman Rushdie at a literary event in New York state.
“Appalled that Sir Salman Rushdie has been stabbed while exercising a right we should never cease to defend,” tweeted Johnson. “Right now my thoughts are with his loved ones. We are all hoping he is okay.”
Veteran Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar condemned the barbaric attack on renowned author Salman Rushdie, who was stabbed during a literary festival in the US state of New York on Friday.
“I condemn the barbaric attack on Salman Rushdie by some fanatic. I hope that NY police and the court will take the strongest action possible against the attacker,” Javed Akhtar tweeted.
Rushdie, who faced death threats over his book ‘The Satanic Verses’, was “stabbed” on stage in western New York state but is said to be alive.
A New York Times reporter tweeted that a doctor in the audience said that Rushdie had multiple stab wounds, including one to the neck, and a pool of blood under him.
An doctor who was at the Chautauqua Institution event has told the New York Times that she helped treat Rushdie after the stabbing.
Rita Landman told the Times that Rushdie had suffered from several stab wounds, including one to the right side of his neck.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said Salman Rushdie is alive and has been transported to a local hospital.
“He is alive and has been transported, airlifted, to safety… The event moderator was attacked as well; he’s getting the care he needs at a local hospital,” she said.
Police gave no details about the suspect’s identity or any probable motive.
Social media footage showed people rushing to Rushdie’s aid and administrating emergency medical care.
“I condemn the barbaric attack on Salman Rushdie by some fanatic. I hope that NY police and the court will take the strongest action possible against the attacker,” tweeted Javed Akhtar.
Salman Rushdie, now 75, was propelled into the spotlight with his second novel “Midnight’s Children” in 1981, which won international praise and Britain’s prestigious Booker Prize for its portrayal of post-independence India.
A year after the book’s publication, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini called for Rushdie’s execution for publishing the book for its blasphemous content.
Since the 1980s, Rushdie’s writing has led to death threats from Iran, which has offered a $3 million reward for anyone who kills him.
Video footage posted on social media showed people rushing to his aid after he was attacked at the event in Chautauqua County. Rushdie’s condition was not immediately known.
Salman Rushdie suffered stab wound in neck: Police
Salman Rushdie suffered stab wound in the neck, has been airlifted to hospital, said the police.
Suspected Rushdie attacker in custody: New York police
The suspected attacker of Salman Rushdie has been taken into custody, said New York police.