RSS targets Shiv Sena, says `people can’t take law for granted`

In order to make sure peace with Pakistan, Indians ought to chant ‘Om Shanti Om,’ and comply with the rules of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ to welcome our personal dying with folded palms, as our prime obligation, the party urged.

Kasuri had earlier expressed his discontentment on the attack on Kulkarni. On Monday morning, when Kulkarni got into his vehicle, more than a dozen Sena activists asked him to step out.

The party later cancelled a planned protest at the launch of the book. “Many questions are being raised and they will be answered”, said Arvind Sawant, Shiv Sena MP from south Mumbai. “The people have the right to protest, but they can’t take the law in their hands”, Vaidya told ANI. When I came out, they smeared me with black paint. “He told them: “Well done, Balasaheb (Thackeray) would be proud of you”, said a Sena leader who was present at the get-together at Matoshree, the Thackeray family residence. The saffron outfit, which is part of the BJP-led ruling coalitions in Maharashtra and also at the Centre, has been consistently opposing shows by Pakistani artistes on the ground that the neighbouring country sponsors terrorism in India.

The Sena, whose relations with senior partner BJP has been under strain for quite a few time now, also assailed Fadnavis over his criticism of its attack on Kulkarni.

The Sena warned that it would not budge from its “anti-Pakistan” policies.

Justifying the protests by his party against Kasuri’s book launch, Raut said the “nationalistic ideals” of the Sena made it oppose the event.

“We are not concerned by who is condemning the action. Being patriotic and securing our country is Maharashtras work and we are doing our work”, the Saamana editorial said. On the contrary another senior BJP leader has said that Sena would not “dare” to take the extreme decision.

“Who is this Kasuri?” The party has said it will not allow anyone from Pakistan to hold a public event in India.

Widely criticised by all political parties, the media and even prominent citizens for its growing intolerance – the Sena had warned of disrupting a proposed ghazal concert by eminent Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali last week, besides the book launch by Kasuri – the party appeared unrepentant on Tuesday.

The comment came a day after the Sena decided it would not ally with the BJP for municipal elections, due next month, in Kalyan-Dombivli, a crucial satellite town near Mumbai.