Mumbai: In a shameful incident, Shiv Sainiks smeared black paint on Sudheendra Kulkarni's face over his refusal to back down from organising the launch of a book written by former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri.
Kulkarni, the chairman of Observer and Research Foundation, a foreign policy think tank, which has organised today's event, met Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray at the latter's residence Matoshree here late last night.
Also Read: Organisers to launch ex-Pakistan minister Kasuri's book today amid Shiv Sena threat
However, Kulkarni failed to convince the Sena leader to stop protests against Kasuri.
Today morning, Kulkarni's car was stopped by a group of Shiv Sainiks just outside his residence. Kulkarni got out of the car to talk to them.
The Sainiks, who had come prepared, refused to engage in a conversation and smeared black paint on Kulkarni's face.
Speaking to a news channel, Kulkarni said that they abused him and shouted slogans.
A determined Kulkarni added, “We are indeed going ahead with the event, we are not deterred by these things
Before stepping out of his residence this morning, Kulkarni had tweeted:
न धमकी से, न बॉम्ब-बंदूक से, न गोली से, बात बनेगी बोली से I #Mumbai supports India-#Pakistan dialogue for peace. pic.twitter.com/vViRpyXkmr
— Sudheendra Kulkarni (@SudheenKulkarni) October 12, 2015
Maharashtra's home department, headed by BJP Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has assured the organisers of full security cover.
