Sudheendra Kulkarni and Ex Pak Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri
Amid sharp condemnation of the paint attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni, who has rejected the Shiv Sena's demand for scrapping the launch of former Pakistan minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri's book in Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's statement sent mixed signals.
"No anti-India propaganda will be tolerated through any such program, if found so, the organisers will be held responsible," Mr Fadnavis said on Monday.
Mr Kasuri's book "Neither a Hawk, Nor a Dove: An Insider Account of Pakistan's Foreign Policy" is to be launched at Mumbai's Nehru Centre in an event organised by the Observer Research Foundation, a think tank head by Mr Kulkarni, who is a former BJP advisor.
The Shiv Sena has said it won't allow the event as any engagement with Pakistan is unacceptable as long as the country supports terror.
This morning, Mr Kulkarni's car was stopped by Shiv Sena activists who allegedly asked him to step out and then smeared his face with black paint. "Today's programme will take place, come what may," Mr Kulkarni said later, adding that the Chief Minister had assured security.
The assurance appeared to be tinged with a note of caution. Mr Fadnavis said: "For all foreigners, diplomats or foreign dignitaries who are allowed on proper Visa in our country, it is the responsibility of our government to provide them security . Hence Mr.Kasuri and the program will be provided total security. But this doesn't mean that we endorse all views expressed in the program."
The Shiv Sena, which co-governs Maharashtra with the BJP, said it was "proud" of its activists.
"This is not ink but the blood of our jawans. Intellectuals should consider people's sentiment or such incidents will happen. We have no grudge against Mr Kasuri but we are against Pakistan," said Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut. Last week, the party's objections forced the cancellation of legendary Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali's show in Mumbai despite the BJP and Mr Fadnavis assuring that the event would not be stopped.
"In this incident, @SudheenKulkarni comes across as brave, the Shiv Sainiks bigoted, and @Dev_Fadnavis as two-faced," tweeted eminent historian Ramchandra Guha.