hello. the man accused of stabbing the author sir salman rushdie has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault. hadi matar was formally charged in a court in new york state. sir salman remains on a ventilator in hospital, after being attacked at an event yesterday. he s been the subject of death threats ever since the publication in 1988 of his controversial book, the satanic verses, which some muslims considered blasphemous. this report from our correspondent, nomia iqbal. sir salman rushdie remains on a ventilator inside this hospital after undergoing emergency surgery. his agent has said the author is in bad shape. he faces losing an eye, the nerves in one of his arms are severed, and his liver is damaged. sir salman was flown here from the neighbouring state of new york. it was there at a literary event where the attack happened in full view of a large audience. a man in a black mask jumped onto the stage, stabbing him at least once in the neck and several times
news, pennsylvania. we can now speak to jay rajiva who s an author and associate professor and director of literary studies at georgia state university. an appalling attack. can i get your initial thoughts and reaction to it? reaction to it? just unbelievable, - reaction to it? just - unbelievable, tragedy. to reaction to it? jut unbelievable, tragedy. to think that this could happen in 20 something years after the satanic verses, rushdie is somebody who has had a transformative impact on the field of literature, postcolonial literature, thinking of rushdie and his accomplishments, and our thoughts are with him for his recovery. thoughts are with him for his recovery- thoughts are with him for his recove . ., ,. , ., , recovery. you described him as transformative. recovery. you described him as transformative. what recovery. you described him as transformative. what is - recovery. you described him as transformative. what is he - recovery. you described him as transformative. wh