Sudheendra Kulkarni was smeared black ink by Sena in Mumbai
By Sreejith Vallikunnu
Shiv Sena activists have allegedly smeared black ink on Sudheendra Kulkarni for hosting the book launch of former Pakistan minister Khurshi Mahmud Kasuri in Mumbai on Monday.
The incident took place when Kulkarni was returning to his residence for the event. Reacting to this, Kulkarni alleged that Sena activists threw ink on his face, abused and threatened to cancel the book launch.
Kulkarni heads the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), which has organized the launch of ‘Neither a Hawk nor a Dove: An ‘Insider’s Account of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy’, written by Kasuri. The book is scheduled to launch on Monday evening and the former Pakistan minister will be attending the event.
Meanwhile, Sena leader Sanjay Raut was quoted by Indian Express as saying, “smearing ink is a very mild form of democratic protest. We don’t know if ink or tar was smeared. Nobody can foretell how public anger will explode”.
Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had assured the organisers of a full security cover for the event.
“For all foreigners, diplomats or foreign dignitaries who are allowed on a proper visa in our country, it’s the responsibility of our government to provide them security. Hence Mr. Kasuri and the programme will be provided total security,” the chief minister had said.
“But this does not mean that we endorse all his views. No anti-India propaganda will be tolerated through any such programme, and if found so, the organizers would be held responsible,” he added.
Kulkarni, who was a speech writer for former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpeyee, had thanked Fadnavis on Twitter for his ‘principled and firm stand’ against the Sena on the issue.
Meanwhile, Kasuri said, “As a politician, I understand the right to protest. But as long as it is peaceful it is justified. What happened with Kulkarni is not right. I am not here to fight. I am here to spread the message of peace. I have been invited here, and I won’t let down the people who have invited me”.
Reacting to the incident, former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said, “This is a cowardly attack, hypocrisy of ruling alliance in Maharashtra”.
Recently, a similar threat by Sena to disrupt Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali’s concert resulted in the cancellation of the event in Mumbai and Pune.
Post the incident, Kulkarni is firm on holding the event, while Shiv Sena leader Ashish Chemburkar had threatened to stage a Sena style protest against it.
Here are some reactions on the ink smearing incident:
Strongly condemn the attack on @SudheenKulkarni in Mumbai. Known him as a great intellectual,a fierce patriot,an admirer of Gandhi &Vajpayee
— Deepender S Hooda (@DeependerSHooda) October 12, 2015
Strongly condemn most dastardly attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni by Shiv Sainiks Udhav Thakre must control his goons Full support to Sudheendra
— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) October 12, 2015
Absolutely shameful and disgusting. No logic can ever justify this Shiv Sena attack on @SudheenKulkarni
— S lrfan Habib एस इरफान हबीब عرفان حبئب (@irfhabib) October 12, 2015
Does the shiv sena realise it may have helped promote a Pakistani book that wouldn't have been as noticed otherwise?
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 12, 2015
What an utter disgrace. Shiv Sena, you're in the government, pls remember https://t.co/wTxoIjXyjC
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) October 12, 2015