Kasuri's book launched in India despite Shiv Sena protest

MUMBAI: Despite strong protests and an attack by the hardline Hindu nationalist group Shiv Sena, former Pakistani foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book was launched at Nehru Centre in Mumbai on Monday evening.


Kasuri arrived for the launch at Nehru Centre this evening, flanked by organiser Sudheendra Kulkarni.

The former Pakistani FM thanked the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for having provided him ‘excellent protection.’

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a promise of development, but we have to have peace. I hope the PM realises that Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s route was the right one.”

Kasuri went on to say that the purpose of writing the book was to correct some misconceptions and that he has sent a copy of the book to LK Advani, Manmohan Singh, Natwar Singh, Yashwant Singh, the President of India and the VP of India.

“It was a trust building move.”

Earlier today, activists of Shiv Sena attacked Kulkarni, the organiser of Kasuri's book launch in India, with black paint.

Kulkarni said he was assaulted as he left his home in Mumbai by activists from the far-right party who wanted to intimidate him.

"A group of ten or 15 Shiv Sainiks mobbed me, they stopped my car, asked me to come out, they caught me, started abusing me, they said we had ordered you to stop the launch this evening, you didn't listen to us, this is what we'll do with you," said said the former BJP advisor, whose face was completely blackened and his clothes were stained too.

Addressing a press conference alongside Kasuri, Kulkarni, who had not washed up, asserted that the show would go on, saying the state government had promised extra security in the face of threats from Shiv Sena.

"We will not buckle under this coercion, it's an assault on democracy, an assault on the Indian constitution and assault on Indian culture," said Kulkarni.

Kasuri's book "Neither a Hawk Nor a Dove: An Insider Account of Pakistan's Foreign Policy" was launched in New Delhi last week and was to be released today in Mumbai in an event organised by Kulkarni's Observer Research Foundation, a think tank.

"I have come all the way not to sit in the hotel. I believe I am doing a right thing. I have come with a message of peace," the Times of India quoted Kasuri as saying.

The hardline Sena group says it will not allow Kasuri's book launch as any engagement with Pakistan is unacceptable.

Last week, Shiv Sena's threats led to organisers cancelling legendary Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali's show in Mumbai despite the BJP assuring that the event would not be stopped.

Shiv Sena co-governs the Indian state of Maharashtra with the BJP ruling party.