Welcome Kasuri to Mumbai: Sudheendra Kulkarni rubs it back on Shiv Sena

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, October 12, 2015: A defiant Sudheendra Kulkarni - with his face still painted black - released former Pakistan minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri’s book at a press conference in Mumbai, shortly after he was attacked by alleged Shiv Sena members. Kulkarni said the event organised by the Observer and Research Foundation on Monday evening will continue as scheduled.

 

Here are the top developments in the latest episode in a series of protests the BJP’s ally in Maharashtra and the Centre has held in events involving Pakistani citizens:

"I welcome you Mr Kasuri to the great city of Mumbai," Kulkarni said. Kasuri in turn remembered his father’s association with the city, saying it is where his father went to jail for participating in the Quit India movement.
   
Kasuri’s book, ’Neither a Hawk nor a Dove: An Insider’s Account of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy’, was also launched at the press meet.
   
"I would like to express my displeasure over what has happened. I am most upset at what I see... I recognise the right of people to protest as long as it is peaceful.," Kasuri said.
   
"It was a very mild reaction" is how the Shiv Sena, which has been accused by Kulkarni of attacking him and painting his face black outside his home on Monday morning, has described the incident.
   
"We don’t know if ink or tar was smeared. Nobody can foretell how public anger will explode," Raut said.
   
The Uddhav Thackeray-led party said it will continue its stir against "Pakistan sympathisers" who will not be "tolerated in India". "Such incidents will send a strong message to Pakistan," Raut said.
   
"Shiv Sena activists threw ink at me and smeared my face. They abused me," Kulkarni, a former BJP ideologue during the Vajpayee era, told reporters. He said his Observer and Research Foundation, a foreign policy think-tank, will continue with Kasuri’s book launch.
   
Kulkarni had met Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at the latter’s residence ’Matoshree’ in Mumbai late on Sunday night, but left without getting any assurance from him.
   
Last week, the Shiv Sena had threatened to disrupt Ghulam Ali’s concerts, leading to cancellation of the Pakistani ghazal singer’s events in Mumbai and Pune recently. The concerts were being held in memory of singer Jagjit Singh.
   
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, however, has assured the organisers complete security in holding the event.

 

Courtesy: Indiatoday