Author Salman Rushdie’s condition was critical after the stabbing assault

 (Left side) Attacker Hadi Matar with police  and Author Salman Rushdie 

New York (USA) – Salman Rushdie, the author of the book ‘Satanic Verses’, has been put on a ventilator in critical condition following a knife attack by a man in New York on the morning of 12th August. Rushdie’s colleague Andrew Wylie said that Salman will likely lose one eye; the nerves in his arm were severed, and his liver was stabbed and damaged.

The attacker has been identified as Hadi Matar. The reason and motive behind the attack by 24-year-old Matar are yet to be ascertained. Police have arrested him, and further investigation is on.

Rushdie was stabbed 10-15 times in 20 seconds, an eyewitness says

An eyewitness, Charles Sevener, said a person rushed to the stage and stabbed Salman Rushdie in the neck. Attendees were stunned by this unexpected attack. No one understood anything. The assailant stabbed Rushdie 10 to 15 times in just 20 seconds. Then people caught him. After being attacked, Rushdie fell to the ground. Following this, he was immediately admitted to the nearest hospital after first aid. When this incident took place, nearly 4,000 spectators were present in the hall.

Rushdie is a British-American writer of Indian origin. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa to kill him after he insulted the verses of the Quran in his book ‘Satanic Verses’ written in the 80s. Rushdie had received several death threats. So, he was under Police protection for almost a decade. Rushdie has also been honoured with the Booker Prize for his writings.