US President Joe Biden condemns attack on Salman Rushdie

Washington: US President Joe Biden on Saturday condemned the attack on Salman Rushdie. Biden called it a "vicious attack" and expressed "shock and sadness". The US President issued a statement in this regard.

"Jill and I were shocked and saddened to learn of the vicious attack on Salman Rushdie yesterday in New York. We, together with all Americans and people around the world, are praying for his health and recovery," Biden said in the statement.

"Salman Rushdie—with his insight into humanity, with his unmatched sense for story, with his refusal to be intimidated or silenced—stands for essential, universal ideals. Truth. Courage. Resilience. The ability to share ideas without fear. These are the building blocks of any free and open society.," the statement further added.

The Indian-origin author is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital after he was stabbed in the neck by a 24-year-old man. The suspect has been identified as Hadi Matar from New Jersey. Matar pleaded not guilty to attempted murder in the second degree and other charges in a New York court.

Also Read: Salman Rushdie stabbed in neck in New York, shifted to hospital by chopper.

The accused was arraigned in centralised arraignment on Saturday. He was remanded without bail at Chautauqua County Jail. ""On August 12, 2022, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Hadi Matar, 24 of Fairview, NJ for Attempted Murder 2nd degree (B Felony) and Assault 2nd degree. Matar was processed at SP Jamestown and transported to Chautauqua County Jail. Matar was arraigned in centralized arraignment on August 13, 2022, and was remanded without bail at Chautauqua County Jai," New York police said in a statement.

Rushdie is currently on ventilator and is likely to lose an eye. He also suffered damage to his liver. The Indian-roigin writer was receiving multiple death threats from Islamic groups over his book 'The Satanic Verses'. In a recent interview before the attack, Rushdie said that his life was now "relatively normal".