Sena activists attack Kulkarni at Kasuri’s book launch

At least 10 to 15 Shiv Sena activists attacked Sudheendra Kulkarni, organiser of former Pakistani foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri’s book launch, hours before event, NDTV reported. “Sainiks attacked me outside my home”. When I came out, they smeared me with black paint.

He, however, added that despite the incident the the book launch event will he held as scheduled. “We have taken a principled stand and shall not cancel the event”, Kulkarni told mediapersons.

“This is not ink, but the blood of our martyrs on his face. Nobody can foretell how public anger will explode”, Raut said. “We do not have anything personal against Kasuri or anyone else”, Raut said. The “protest” was against Kulkarni’s role in the launch of Kasuri’s book “Neither a Hawk nor a Dove”.

Citing the neighbouring country’s support to terrorism as the reason behind the opposition, Shiv Sena had warned that the function will be disrupted if not cancelled. On Sunday night, Sudheendra Kulkarni, Chairman of Observer and Research Foundation, met Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray at the latter’s residence Matoshree. This was hailed as the most promising dialogue between Pakistan and India since Independence. If there are men of goodwill on both sides, situation could easily change…

Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis said that it may not be necessary that all views need to be endorsed. The Sena has said that if its cadres have done it then they are “proud” of the “nationalistic act”.

This morning, he praised the Chief Minister in a tweet.

Shiv Sena co-governs the Indian state of Maharashtra with the BJP ruling party. “It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that something like this does not happen”, she said.

“I told Uddhavji that as they (Sena) have a right to protest peacefully, we also have the right to hold the programme”, he said.

Please enter your email.