The attackers met their boss at his residence, Matoshree, in Mumbai where he had words of praise for them.
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Mumbai is the capital of western Maharashtra state, which is ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party in coalition with Shiv Sena.
“We will guarantee that the capacity does not occur regardless of what the deterrents are before us”, said Ashish Chemburkar, Shiv Sena’s pioneer. “Kasuri has arrived in Mumbai for the function arranged by Pakistai “agent” (Kulkarni) – You have also seen the Shiv Sena’s reaction and how their faces have been blackened”, Shiv Sena MP and spokesperson Sanjay Raut told media persons.
By voicing such opinions the signal that Shiv Sena is trying to give here is that BJP has been unsuccessful in implementing law and order in the State of Maharashtra.
Far-right Indian protesters angry at the planned launch of a former Pakistani foreign minister’s book doused the event organiser with black ink on Monday, the latest apparent attack on free speech in the country.
Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said in a democracy everyone has a right to agree or disagree but this type of protest is not justified as it is against the very core of our democratic values.
He said the book launch will be held as scheduled despite threats from Shiv Sena. The other accused were identified as Dinesh Prasad, Ashok Waghmare, Prakash Husbe, Samadhan Jadhav and Venkatesh Nair, they said. “Nobody can foretell how public anger will explode”.
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In a hard-hitting editorial, Sena mouthpiece Saamana has called the veteran journalist a Pakistani agent, saying that with people like Kulkarni present in India, Pakistan need not send those like Ajmal Kasab. “Witness how, after taking all government benefits, our intellectuals are busy returning the awards they had grabbed”, the party said. Last week, the party’s objections forced the cancellation of legendary Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali’s show in Mumbai despite the BJP and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assuring that the event would not be stopped. “I have come with a message of peace”, Mr Kasuri said, announcing that he would not let down his hosts. “Hence Mr. Kasuri and the programme will be provided total security”, the chief minister had said. “There could have been better ways to put forth a point of view”, the CM had said.
