Salman Rushdie and Padma Lakshmi married in 2004 and divorced in 2007. (file)
New York:
Salman Rushdie’s ex-wife and TV personality Padma Lakshmi and her agent said on Sunday they are “moving on” and on “the road to recovery”. It has been described as a “targeted, unprovoked, premeditated” attack.
Rushdie was taken off the ventilator on Saturday and could speak after the best-selling author was stabbed on stage at a literary event in New York state on Friday.
Rushdie, 75, and Chennai-born Lakshmi married in 2004 and divorced in 2007. 51-year-old Lakshmi, herself a writer and host of the hit Pak TV show TopChef, was Rushdie’s fourth wife.
He said in a tweet, “Salman Rushdie feeling relieved after Friday’s nightmare. Worried and wordless, can finally hold his breath. Hoping for a speedy recovery now.”
tension free @Salman Rushdie Dragging on since Friday’s nightmare. Worried and wordless, may eventually exhale. Hoping for a speedy recovery now.
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) 14 August 2022
The New York Times reported that Rushdie’s agent, Andrew Wyllie, said, “The road to recovery has begun. It will be long, the injuries are serious, but his condition is heading in the right direction.” Rushdie, who had faced Islamist death threats for years after writing “The Satanic Verses,” was stabbed on stage Friday by 24-year-old Lebanese-American Hadi Matar, a New Jersey resident, when he was presented was going. At a literary event at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York.
Michael Hill, president of the Chautauqua Institution, said in a tweet on Saturday night: “Salman Rushdie off ventilator and talking! Everyone is praying on behalf of @chq.” Rushdie’s agent Wylie confirmed this to US media.
Rushdie was put on a ventilator after being stabbed by Peas.
Earlier on Saturday, Matar pleaded not guilty to the charges of attempt to murder and assault upon a brief court appearance, where he was denied bail.
Pea was charged with attempted murder and assault by stabbing Rushdie and did not plead his guilt. He made his court appearance, wearing a black and white striped jumpsuit and handcuffs.
Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt provided details of Rushdie’s injuries in court during Peas’ appearance on Saturday afternoon.
According to the county prosecutor, the author’s injuries included three stab wounds to the front right side of his neck, four stab wounds to his abdomen, a puncture wound to his right eye and chest, and a wound to his right thigh.
“It was a targeted, unprovoked, premeditated attack on Mr. Rushdie,” Schmidt alleged.
Schmidt said Pears could face up to 32 years in prison if convicted of both charges.
The attack on Rushdie was shocked and condemned by world leaders and literary figures.
US President Joe Biden said in a statement on Saturday that he and First Lady Jill Biden were “shocked and saddened” to learn of the “vicious” attack on the author.
“Salman Rushdie – with his insight into humanity, with his unmatched sense for story, with his refusal to be intimidated or silent – stands for essential, universal ideals. Truth. Courage. Resilience. Ideas without fear. These are the building blocks of any free and open society. And today, we reaffirm our commitment to those deep American values in solidarity with Rushdie and all those who stand for freedom of expression ,” Biden said.
He said, “We, along with all Americans and people around the world, are praying for his health and recovery. I am grateful to the first responders and the brave individuals who helped Rushdie and subdue the attacker.” took action for.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “shocked” to learn of the attack on Rushdie. “The Secretary-General is shocked to learn of the attack on noted novelist Salman Rushdie,” a statement issued by his spokesman said on Friday.
Guterres wished Rushdie a speedy recovery, saying, “In no case is violence a reaction to the words spoken or written in the exercise of the freedom of thought and expression of others.”
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Saturday night “strongly condemned” the attack.
“International rejection of such criminal acts, which violate fundamental rights and freedoms, is the only way toward a better and more peaceful world,” Borrell tweeted.
Rushdie remained in hiding and under police protection for years after the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini imposed a fatwa for his death in retaliation for his 1989 book The Satanic Verses.
A report in The New York Times said that Rushdie was stabbed about 10 times in a pre-planned attack, according to prosecutors.
“In court, prosecutors said the attack on the writer was premeditated and targeted,” the report said, adding that Peas traveled by bus “to an intellectual retreat in western New York and purchased a pass that allowed him to engage in negotiations.” Gave. Rushdie was supposed to deliver on Friday morning.”
Rushdie, the author of 14 novels, was knighted in 2007 for services to literature.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)