Who attacked author Salman Rushdie on lecture stage in New York?
By: Divya Thearia
13 August, 2022 (New Delhi): Famous English-language writer Salman Rushdie was attacked during an event in New York City, USA on Friday. During an event, he was attacked with a knife. During this, a lot of blood came out of Rushdie’s neck. Rushdie was attacked when he was about to lecture at an event in western New York. According to the latest information, Rushdie’s surgery has been done in the hospital and he has been kept on ventilator. The attacker has been identified as 24-year-old Hadi Matar from New Jersey. New York State Police said a bag and some electronic devices were found at the scene. We are in the very early stages of the investigation. FBI members are helping us with the investigation.
Earlier it was being told that 75-year-old Rushdie was about to start his lecture during an event at the Chautauqua Institute in western New York when a man climbed onto the stage and started punching Rushdie. He then attacked them with a knife. Rushdie has a neck injury. He was being introduced in the program at that time.
New York police said a suspect climbed onto the stage during the event. The incident happened at 11 am (local time). Salman Rushdie and an interviewer were attacked at the Chautauqua Institute in Chautauqua. Rushdie was stabbed in the neck. He was taken to the hospital by helicopter. Not much information could be found about his condition. The interviewer has suffered minor head injuries. The suspected attacker has been taken into custody. New York State Governor Kaichi Hochul said, “Rushdie is still alive. They are being taken to a safe place. Rushdie is airlifted. The event moderator was also attacked. He has been admitted to a local hospital.” Taslima Nasreen also reacted in the matter. He said ” I just learned that Salman Rushdie was attacked in New York. I am really shocked. I never thought that would happen. He is living in the west and has been given security since 1989. If they are attacked, anyone who criticizes Islam can be attacked. I’m worried.”
According to reports, Rushdie was attacked on Friday when he was about to deliver a lecture. Rushdie is an English writer of Indian origin. In the 1980s, he was in controversy over one of his books, The Satanic Verses. There was a lot of outrage in the Muslim society about this book, a religious leader had also issued a fatwa for killing him. Rushdie was born on 19 June 1947 in Mumbai to a Kashmiri Muslim family. Rushdie, who came into the limelight by writing books like The Satanic Verses and Midnight Children, has also been awarded the Booker Prize.