Sudheendra Kulkarni has alleged that he was attacked by Shiv Sena activists for organising Ex-Pak minister's book launch
Hours before the launch of former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book in Mumbai today, organiser Sudheendra Kulkarni was attacked with black paint by activists of the Shiv Sena, which wants the event cancelled.
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They told me if you don't listen to us, this is what we can do," said Mr Kulkarni, a writer and former BJP advisor, adding that his car was stopped by 10-15 Sena activists wo threw paint at him.
His face was still covered in black paint as he addressed a press conference and
vowed that the show will go on. With Mr Kasuri by his side, he held up for preview the book to be launched at 5:30 this evening.
He pointed out that the paint had stained not just his face and clothes but also the Indian flag pinned to his coat. (
Who said what on the paint attack)
Impervious to widespread outrage and condemnation that has come its way, the
Shiv Sena defended the paint attack and denied reports that it could call off the protest after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP talked to Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. In the afternoon it added a new threat, "Wait and watch."
The Sena, which co-governs Maharashtra with the BJP, has said that it will not allow Mr Kasuri's book launch and that any engagement with Pakistan is unacceptable as long as it supports terror. 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.
The Sena's young leader Aditya Thackeray, son of Uddhav Thackeray, described the paint attack on Mr Kulkarni as non-violent.
Mr Kasuri's book "Neither a Hawk, Nor a Dove: An Insider Account of Pakistan's Foreign Policy" launched in Delhi last week and is to be released today in Mumbai in the event organised at Nehru Centre by Mr Kulkarni's Observer Research Foundation, a think tank.
"I have come all the way not to sit in the hotel. I believe I am doing a right thing. I have come with a message of peace," Mr Kasuri said, announcing that he would not let down his hosts.