Kasuri book row: Ink attack by Sena activists on Kulkarni

The Sena’s youth wing president, Aditya Thackeray, as is his wont, invoked Kashmir, the 26/11 attacks, the Kargil incursion and Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in a 1,700-word jeremiad he posted on Facebook defending his party’s actions (and in response to an open letter by the journalist Rajdeep Sardesai). Later, they met Uddhav.

The activists are Gajanan Patil, Prakash Asbe, Ashok Waghmare, Samadhan Jugdar, Sarjerao Jadhav and Venkatesh Nair.

The paint attack on BJP’s former strategist Sudheendra Kulkarni was today roundly condemned by political parties with its stalwart L K Advani saying it reflected “growing intolerance” in the country that is cause for concern and Congress dubbing Shiv Sena as “Desi Taliban”.

Shiv Sena had written to the director of Worli s Nehru Centre, the launch venue, to cancel the show because of the Pakistan connection. “They should also respect others’ freedom of expression”, Kulkarni said at a press conference in Mumbai. Even though the event organizer has the approvals of the government and non-government authorities concerned they can not go ahead if the Sena leadership tells them not to. People like him are out to cut the neck of our nation.

Earlier, Saamana executive editor and MP Sanjay Raut said the party would continue to oppose Pakistan.

“An atmosphere has been created where it now seems that Khurshid Kasuri is a messenger of peace or a Mahatma, and the Sena has committed a crime by opposing him”.

On concerts by Pakistani artists, Aaditya said: “Could we have these concerts for peace and unity at the LoC (Line of Control) or in areas where there is heavy mortar shelling?”

“We will ensure that the function does not take place no matter what the obstacles are before us”, said Ashish Chemburkar, Shiv Sena’s leader.

Justifying his reason for organizing the book launch of Pakistan’s ex-foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, Kulkarni said that it had been an attempt on his behalf to bridge the differences between both nations.

“While we cannot endorse Kasuri, we can’t let our state turn into a banana republic”, Fadnavis had said, referring to the threats by the Sena to disrupt events featuring Pakistani guests.

“We will not buckle under this coercion, it’s an assault on democracy, an assault on the Indian constitution and assault on Indian culture”, said Kulkarni. “But whosoever has done it, has besmirched the good name of the country”, the former deputy Prime Minister said.