The stabbing of controversial writer Sir Salman Rushdie has been described as “an assault on freedom of thought and speech”.
The 75-year-old stays on a ventilator after being airlifted to hospital and present process hours of surgical procedure following the assault in New York state.
And messages of help have been pouring in for the Indian-born British writer.
Fellow-novelist Ian McEwan stated: “This appalling attack on my dear friend Salman represents an assault on freedom of thought and speech.
“These are the freedoms that underpin all our rights and liberties. Salman has been an inspirational defender of persecuted writers and journalists the world over.”
Read extra:
Why is Salman Rushdie so controversial?
Norwegian William Nygaard, who was shot and severely wounded in 1993 after publishing Sir Salman’s work, stated: “He is a leading author who has meant so much to literature, and he had found a good life in the United States.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: “Shocked and appalled to hear of the unprovoked and senseless attack on Sir Salman Rushdie.
“Freedom of expression is a price we maintain expensive and makes an attempt to undermine it should not be tolerated. My ideas are with Sir Salman and his household.”
Boris Johnson said: “Appalled that Sir Salman Rushdie has been stabbed whereas exercising a proper we should always by no means stop to defend.
“We are all hoping he is okay.”
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated: “Today, the country and the world witnessed a reprehensible attack against the writer Salman Rushdie. This act of violence is appalling.
“All of us within the Biden-Harris Administration are praying for his speedy restoration. We are grateful to good residents and first responders for serving to Mr Rushdie so shortly after the assault and to legislation enforcement for its swift and efficient work, which is ongoing.”
And Suzanne Nossel, of free expression group Pen America, said: “While we have no idea the origins or motives of this
assault, all these world wide who’ve met phrases with violence or known as for a similar are culpable for legitimising
this assault on a author whereas he was engaged in his important work of connecting to readers.”
Source: information.sky.com”