Sena attacks Advani ex-aide, blackens face

Sudheendra Kulkarni was behind Kasuri book launch

Shiv Sena activists blackened the face of writer and columnist Sudheendra Kulkarni on Monday, hours before the formal launch of a book on Indo-Pak relations by former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri.

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF)-Mumbai, where Kulkarni is the chairman, had organised the launch of the book, “Neither A Hawk Nor A Dove: An Insider’s Account Of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy”.

Kulkarni was a director in the prime minister’s office in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and was also a former aide of ex-deputy prime minister L K Advani. “Shiv Sena activists threw ink at me and smeared my face. They abused me. We won’t be cowed down by such events,” said Kulkarni.

“It is our duty to undo the mistakes of the past. We should not let any organisation mar the values of Mumbai. Mumbai is a tolerant, inclusive, liberal and democratic city. New history can only be created via dialogue, two governments must continue dialogue. Our function is in that direction,” he added.

Kasuri denounced the attack and said: “History murdered in both countries. The purpose of writing the book was to correct perceptions. I have not misstated any facts or incidents.”

The incident came a day after the BJP virtually snubbed Sena president Uddhav Thackeray by inviting him late to Sunday’s events during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mumbai to lay the foundation stone for three projects. Last week, Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali’s performances in Mumbai and Pune had to be cancelled because of Sena’s threats.

“This is a mild reaction. Did we not tell you in advance what kind of protest we are going to do,” said Shiv Sena spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. “Pakistani agents like Kulkarni are more dangerous than Kasab. We can fight Kasabs, but how do we fight such hidden Kasabs?” Raut added.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured that the function would be held and full security would be provided. Fadnavis, however, said Kasuri won’t be allowed to have any anti-India view and if he does, the organiser will be responsible.

The event was later held amid tight security and was attended by veteran jurist A G Noorani, actor Naseeruddin Shah, journalist Dileep Padgaonkar and others.

Late in the night, six Shiv Sena workers were arrested in connection with the attack, PTI reported.