Salman Rushdie attacked

[Alberon]

He was in New York on stage at a speaking event. He was repeatedly punched or stabbed and the attacker is in custody.

Picture of Rushdie surrounded by helpers spoilered.

Spoiler alert

[close]

An Associated Press reporter witnessed a man storm the stage at the Chautauqua Institution and begin punching or stabbing Rushdie as he was being introduced. The author was taken or fell to the floor, and the man was restrained. The attacker was reportedly in custody.

[bgmnts]

Why??

[buttgammon]

Terrible that one of our own regulars appears to have been responsible.

[jobotic]

Why Alberon, why??

[dontpaintyourteeth]

Alberon is cancelled

[Alberon]

Oh well that's going a little too far!

[flotemysost]

Someone I used to work with knew a colleague who was killed in the wake of The Satanic Verses stuff, but I always sort of naively assumed it was a thing of the past.

Why??

He done a Islamophobia back in the 80s (well, according to the people who want to hurt/kill him) so presumably that. Haven't actually read the offending text but I really liked Midnight's Children, although it took a couple of hundred pages to figure out what the fuck was going on.

I hope he's OK anyway.

[madhair60]

did the attacker "rushdie" stage? no, though, I hope Salman Rushdie is fine... I'm certainly in no "rush" for him to "die"!

[Lisa Jesusandmarychain]

Punched *or* stabbed? Well, which was it? Shoddy reporting.

[bgmnts]

He done a Islamophobia back in the 80s (well, according to the people who want to hurt/kill him) so presumably that.

Fair play that's a hell of a grudge then.

[Lisa Jesusandmarychain]

Fair play that's a hell of a grudge then.

Playing the long game, right enough.

[flotemysost]

Well, there's still a bounty of a couple million quid on his head AFAIK. One way of stumping up the energy bills I suppose.

[checkoutgirl]

Gutted Salman. I'm not saying he deserved it because he went on Curb Your Enthusiasm going on about chicks love the fatwa. But some might say that's dangling your love spuds in the lion's mouth.

[PaulTMA]

This never would of happened were it not for that Fresh Prince

[Icehaven]

Punched *or* stabbed? Well, which was it? Shoddy reporting.

Police have confirmed it was a stabbing now apparently.
Jim Crace (the novelist not the journalist) did a visit to my work a few years ago and for some reason launched into a tirade about Rushdie, as he knows him and seemingly isn't a fan. Maybe it was him!

[Crenners]

Punched *or* stabbed? Well, which was it? Shoddy reporting.

Punched him with a knife (not the handle end, the other end).

[Lisa Jesusandmarychain]

Punched him with a knife (not the handle end, the other end).

Bit much.

[Malcy]

Larry David next. FATWA!!!

[flotemysost]

This never would of happened were it not for that Fresh Prince

Now, this is a story all about how
I published a book and it caused a big row
And I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there
I'll tell you how I became the bane of the Ayatollah

[iamcoop]

Apparently this geezer got mad pussy?

[Alberon]

Stabbed in the neck apparently.

[Chollis]

Stabbed in the neck apparently.

Stabbed in the neck
And you're to blame

[iamcoop]

I told him to stop writing those bloody books! SMDH (shake my delightful head)

[Glebe]

'kin 'ell. Hope he's okay.

[Keebleman]

Valentine's Day 1989 the fatwa was issued! I remember it well. I was sorting through the DOZENS of cards that I had received and looked up from them momentarily to muse on the less than romantic missive the Ayatollah had sent.

[iamcoop]

Hello Guardian readers, there's breaking news regarding the renowned novelist Salman Rushdie and we are going to bring you developments and reaction as it happens, so please join us and we'll keep you up to date, live

Please join us whilst a man probably dies

[Beagle 2]

Punched *or* stabbed?

I've got the tune off the first level of parappa the rapper in my head now.

[robhug]

if it takes 30 odd years there needs to be some serious organisational changes with the top bods at Islam HQ, making a mockery of the fatwa, hardly worth doing them.

[Lisa Jesusandmarychain]

I've got the tune off the first level of parappa the rapper in my head now.

Whereas " Stabbed In The Neck" reminds me of that Supergrass song

# Stabbed in the neck
  There I was
  Oh, Flippin''Eck # 

[Huxleys Babkins]

Punched *or* stabbed? Well, which was it? Shoddy reporting.

Punched with knives.