The stabbing of Sir Salman Rushdie, controversial author, has been called “an attack on freedom of thought or speech”.
After being airlifted from New York to hospital, the 75-year-old is still on a ventilator and has undergone hours of surgery.
Support messages have been flooding in for the British-born Indian author.
Ian McEwan, a fellow novelist, said that “This appalling attack against my dear friend Salman is an assault on freedom to think and speak.”
These freedoms are what underpin all of our rights and liberties. Salman has been an inspiration to journalists and writers persecuted around the globe.
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Why is Salman Rushdie so controversial?
Norwegian William Nygaard was severely injured and shot in 1993 by Salman after publishing Sir Salman’s work. Nygaard said that he was a leading author and had found a happy life in America.
Priti Patel, Home Secretary, tweeted: “Shocked by the unprovoked attack on Sir Salman Rushdie.”
“Freedom to express ourselves is something we value and must be protected. My thoughts and prayers are with Sir Salman, his family.
Boris Johnson stated: “Appalled Sir Salman Rushdie was stabbed while exercising an right we should never cease defending.”
“We all hope he is okay.
David Baddiel, comedian and author, tweeted: “It is appalling what happened to Salman Rushdie. It is also shocking that people will believe he caused it or deserved it.
Jake Sullivan, US National Security Adviser, stated that “Today the country and world witnessed a reprehensible attack on the writer Salman Rushdie.” This act of violence was appalling.
“All of us at the Biden-Harris administration are praying for his quick recovery. We are grateful to the first responders and citizens who helped Mr Rushdie quickly after the attack. Law enforcement is also being praised for their swift and efficient work.
Suzanne Nossel of Pen America’s free expression group said that while we don’t know the motives behind this attack, everyone around the globe who has used violence or called for it are guilty of legitimizing this attack on a writer, as he was engaged in his essential job of connecting with readers.
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