Iconic actress Shabana Azmi said that, “Deeply saddened by Shiv Senas attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni”.
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“It was brought to the Sena leader’s attention that Kasuri in his book has criticised non-state actors perpetrating terror”, said Kulkarni, who has served as speechwriter for BJP veterans Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani.
Mumbai: Pakistan’s former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri on Monday condemned the attack on Observer Research Foundation chief Sudheendra Kulkarni, allegedly by Shiv Sena activists, earlier in the day ostensibly to protest against the launch of a book written by the visiting dignitary.
Kulkarni meanwhile went ahead with a press conference, his face still blackened and with Kasuri by his side, promising that the book release function would take place.
“I am happy that the people of Mumbai appreciated our efforts”, Kulkarni said, and thanked those who attended the book launch in large numbers despite the Sena threat to disrupt the event.
The right-wing protesters were part of the Shiv Sena party, a junior partner in the Maharashtra state government, which is ruled by the BJP.
Other media organisations such as Geo TV, The News, Pakistan Tribune carried news reports of the attack with images of Kulkarni’s face painted black with ink.
Indian police are being sent to secure the dispatch of a book by a previous Pakistan outside pastor in Mumbai after a conservative association said it would upset the occasion.
The party said that the ink attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni was a “peaceful protest” against Pakistan.
Such “elements” may be handful in number but they wield a lot of influence and sabotage the country, the party said in an editorial in its mouthpiece “Saamana“. A similar threat by Shiv Sena had recently forced the organisers of concerts of Pakistani Ghazal singer Ghulam Ali to cancel his shows planned in Mumbai and Pune.
“Shiv Sena should not resort to such politics which is not in line with the Constitution”.
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“I have come all the way not to sit in the hotel. But this doesn’t mean that we endorse all views expressed in the program”, Fadnavis said.
