Salman Rushdie’s condition improves

New York. The condition of Indian-origin British-American writer Salman Rushdie, who was hospitalized after the deadly attack in New York, is now said to be improving. According to reports, he has been removed from the ventilator. It is also being claimed that he is able to speak. Significantly, on Friday, during a live program, Rushdie was attacked by a 24-year-old youth named Hadi Matar. Matar stabbed his throat and stomach 10-15 times, after which Rushdie was taken by helicopter to a hospital. A hospital doctor told US media that he had multiple stab wounds to his throat and abdomen. He has had surgery.

Matar has been charged with attempt to murder and assault. His social media accounts have revealed that he is sympathetic to Shia extremism and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), but investigative agencies have not found any direct links so far. Hadi Matar was born in California. But he recently moved to New Jersey. It is noteworthy that 33 years ago, Iran’s religious leader Ayatollah Khomeina issued a fatwa regarding Radi’s novel ‘The Satanic Verses’. The attack is being linked to that. However, an Iranian diplomat has said – we have nothing to do with this attack, while on the other hand the media in Iran is praising Matar.