The Sion police is in the process of registering an FIR against six to seven unknown persons who stopped event organiser Sudheendra Kulkarni’s car near King Circle and blackened his face with black ink.
Kulkarna had organised the launch of Pakistan Minister Khurshid Mahmood’s Kasuri’s book at Nehru Centre at Worli on Monday afternoon. Just a few hours before the programme, a few unknown persons suspected to be Shiv Sainiks attacked Kulkarni with black ink. “Five to six persons suddenly came towards my car, stopped it and asked me to come out. As I came out, three of them caught me and others poured black ink, abusing me over why I did not listen to them. While fleeing they also abused me,” said Kulkarni to Sion police officers.
Kulkarni, who refused to wipe the black paint from his face, said that the accused has not only blackened his face but have also humiliated the tricolour national flag of the country.
While the Shiv Sena, which supports the BJP government in the state, has threatened to ensure that the book launch is cancelled, Mumbai police officials said they would ensure that the programme is held without law and order violations in the city. Senior police officials fear the agitation taking on a communal colour in the wake of Mohammed Akhlaq’s recent lynching in Dadri.
Mumbai police commissioner Ahmad Javed said, “The Sion police officials are in the process of registering an FIR for rioting and threatening. The stand of the government is very clear and we will deploy bandobast accordingly.” Police spokesperson deputy commissioner of police Dhananjay Kulkarni said senior police officials are busy chalking out a concrete plan for the Kasuri’s book launch.
Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, “Just little ink on the face has upset Kulkarni – it is nothing compared to the blood of our jawans killed by Pakistan. If it is alleged that Shiv Sainiks have done it, I would say they have done a good job. It’s a symbol of protest against Pakistan.”
Last week, the party strongly objected to Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali’s show which was finally called off despite the BJP and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis assuring that the programme would be held.