Kulkarni ink attack: It's not ink, but blood of our martyrs, says Shiv Sena

The Shiv Sena on Monday termed the 'ink attack' on Sudheendra Kulkarni, the organiser of former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book launch, as a 'mild' one and warned that until the 'message is received' such attacks will keep on happening.

"This is not ink, but the blood of our martyrs on his face. He should feel ashamed for siding with Pakistan's 'chamchaas'. This much reaction just because of a little ink on his face? You cannot stop people as they have pent up hatred against Pakistan in their minds," Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut told ANI here.

Branding Kasuri a 'chamchaa' (sycophant), Raut said that the Shiv Sena has nothing against him personally, but banning Pakistani artists and diplomats who came to India was the only way of sending a strong message to the hostile neighbour.

"Those who support Pakistan's 'chamchaas' are going against the nation in every way and if someone dubs patriotism as violence, then what can you say about the Indian freedome struggle against the British? The Shiv Sena will continue to protest against Pakistan in all in every way," Raut added.

Even though he did not take credit for the attack on Kulkarni, Raut said that if the Shiv Sena is being accused for the attack then 'so be it'.

When asked what the Shiv Sena plans to do during Kasuri's book launch this evening, Raut gave no hint of his or his party's intentions.

"I can't tell you what we will or won't do. What happened today was not done on a specific order. It is the anger that people have against Pakistan and when this rage can't be bottled, what are you going to do?," Raut said.

Following the attack, Kulkarni announced in a press conference that he has no intention of scrapping the book launch and will go ahead with the event.

"Event is going to take place at 5:30pm at Nehru Centre, despite the threats we've received from Shiv Sena," Kulkari told the media here.

The Shiv Sena had issued a warning earlier that if Kasuri's book launch was not cancelled, then there would be 'severe consequences'.