Kulkarni ink attack: Cong lashes out at Shiv Sena, says it's 'Taliban hooliganism'

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Monday, slammed the Shiv Sena for smearing ink on Sudheendra Kulkarni, Chairman of Observer Research Foundation (ORF), who is organising former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book launch, saying that it was 'Talibani hooliganism' and that Uddhav Thackeray must control his 'goons'.

"Strongly condemn most dastardly attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni by Shiv Sainiks. Udhav Thakre must control his goons. Full support to Sudheendra," Singh tweeted.

The senior Congress leader asserted that such 'intolerance' in India can't be tolerated.

"First Ghulam Ali concert and now Kasuri's book launch. We don't want a Desi Taliban in India," he added.

Condemning the ink attack on Kulkarni, Singh said that Kasuri's book launch must be held at all costs and all liberals who are against such 'Talibani hooliganism' must come out to support the event.

Shiv Sainiks had earlier smeared ink Kulkarni, as he refused to back down from organising Kasuri's book launch in Mumbai.

"As soon as I stepped out of my house and got into my car, around 8-10 Shiv Sena workers attacked me and threw ink on my face," Kulkarni told ANI.

The Shiv Sena has been vehemently protesting against Kasuri's book launch, saying it was an insult to the Indian soldiers who had died in the recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan, and had warned that there would be 'repercussions' if the event was not cancelled.