Outrage after Shiv Sainiks blacken Kulkarni’s face

“The only person who can stop this is the Prime Minister and, unfortunately, he keeps silence on these issues,” Singhvi said. CPI leader D Raja said that Sena’s actions were “highly deplorable”.

On his meeting with Sena chief, Kulkarni said, “I pointed out to Uddhavji that Kasuri should be allowed to put forth his views. I also told him that if Sena has a different <g data-gr-id="26">view point</g>, they could protest in a democratic, peaceful manner.” 

“The Sena president told me that unlike Ghulam Ali, Kasuri was not an artist but was part of the machinery which perpetrated terror,” he said.

Kasuri, on his part, said,”I am not depressed by things like these as I know there are people in Pakistan and India who do not want good relations between the two nations. I have been a political worker myself, I understand political protests, but it should be in a peaceful manner.” 

“I was not a minister during Kargil or 26/11,” Kasuri noted.

It was brought to the Sena leader’s attention that Kasuri in his book has criticised non-state actors perpetrating terror, Kulkarni said.

The Sena, which shares power with the BJP in Maharashtra, has written to the director of Worli’s Nehru Centre to cancel the event because of the Pakistan connection.

Amid mounting criticism of the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said security will be provided to all dignitaries visiting the state. “It’s our government’s responsibility to provide security to all foreigners, diplomats or dignitaries who are allowed on <g data-gr-id="24">proper</g> visa,” he said.