After attack, Sena calls Kulkarni 'Pakistani agent'

A day after blackening the face of veteran journalist and BJP leader Sudheendra Kulkarni, the Shiv Sena on Tuesday called him a "Pakistani agent".

Such "elements" may be handful in number but they wield a lot of influence and sabotage the country, the party said in an editorial in its mouthpiece "Saamana".

"With persons like Kulkarni around, where is the need for Pakistan to send terrorists like Ajmal Kasab to the country? A hundred Kasabs will not be able to achieve what a few Kulkarnis can. They will invite Pakistan's (Khurshid Mahmud) Kasuri," it said.

Lashing out at Kulkarni for inviting Kasuri for a book launch on Monday, the Sena said he may be conferred with Pakistan's highest award (Nishan-E-Pakistan).

"It is shameful how Kulkarni roamed around with his face blackened by patriotic persons, and how he uploaded a selfie on Twitter, alleging it was done by Shiv Sainiks."

The Sena also said that despite the attack on him, Kulkari announced that Kasuri's book launch function would be held at any cost.

"An argument was put forth that stopping Kasuri would turn the Pakistani intellectuals against us. This is nonsense. The word intellectual has virtually become an abuse, especially in India. Witness how, after taking all government benefits, our intellectuals are busy returning the awards they had grabbed," the party said.

The Sena warned that it would not budge from its 'anti-Pakistan' policies.

It said the huge security provided for Kasuri could have been better utilized for the safety of Indian citizens.

"Chief Minster Devendra Fadnavis must exercise caution and tackle these Pakistani agents. Needless to mention, the Shiv Sena is always available for such nationalistic efforts," the editorial said.

Earlier, Saamana executive editor and MP Sanjay Raut said the party would continue to oppose Pakistan.

"This was the policy adopted by the late Bal Thackeray, and it will be continued under Uddhav Thackeray's leadership."

The Sena stand came a day after it faced widespread flak over the incident of smearing Kulkarni's face with black ink to protest against the function to release Kasuri's book, "Neither a Hawk Nor a Dove: An Insider Account of Pakistan's Foreign Policy".