Kasuri book launch row: Shiv Sainiks smear black paint on Sudheendra Kulkarni's face

Kulkarni is the chairman of Observer and Research Foundation, a foreign policy think tank, which has organised today's event.​

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.

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.