People of Mumbai have rejected Shiv Sena's approach on Pakistan, says Kulkarni

Sudheendra Kulkarni, chairperson of the Observer Research Foundation says the people of Mumbai have rejected the Shiv Sena’s approach on both the right to freedom of expression as well as the need for an Indo-Pakistan dialogue.

Kulkarni was attacked by Shiv Sena ‘workers’ on Monday hours before a book launch by former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri in Mumbai. Six Shiv Sainiks sploshed black ink on Kulkarni’s face and then defended this proudly saying it is a “non-violent method of protest.”

Speaking to The Hindu newspaper, Kulkarni said “Mumbaikars have shown a strong sense of solidarity for the cause for which he was invited here. They have firmly rejected the Shiv Sena on both the right to have freedom of expression and the need to promote Indo-Pak. dialogue and normalisation of our relations.”

A day after the shameful attack on Kulkarni, Shiv Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ referred to him as a ‘lover of Pakistan’ and compared him with 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab.

“What is the need for Pakistan to send people like Kasab to carry out destructive activities in India, when persons like Kulkarni are present in the country?,” the editorial said, saying that people like Kulkarni have done what ‘a hundred Kasabs’ would not be able to do.

“The real threat to the country comes not from fanatic and extremist Muslims, but from people like Sudheendra Kulkarni,” it said.

Click on this link to read The Hindu report.