Bollywood condemns Shiv Sena's thuggish attitude

Pakistan and India have been at loggerheads recently and most peace efforts have nosedived, it seems. During these tense and extremely sensitive hours, Shiv Sena has also stepped up its efforts to bully and harass Pakistani artists such as Atif Aslam and Ghulam Ali by canceling their protests. Most recently, Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt Pakistani ex-foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri’s book launch in India, by throwing black paint on Sudheendra Kulkarni’s face.

Sudheendra Kulkarni is a top Indian diplomat and moderator of Khurshid Kasuri’s book launch event. Things turned sour when a couple of hours before the event, angry Shiv Sena workers threw black paint on his face. The move was dejected and criticised from all quarters within India, even from Bollywood superstars.

Rishi Kapoor was shocked and disgusted at the way the diplomat was attacked. “Excuse me! This is ridiculous and unpardonable.”

Excuse me! This is ridiculous and unpardonable. And to address a media conference in this manner? Politics!! pic.twitter.com/qhUXMMPo1B

— rishi kapoor (@chintskap) October 12, 2015

Mahesh Bhatt was also critical of the event and stated that the attack ridiculed the constitution and shamed the police.

The attack on Sudhendra Kulkarni ridicules our constitution, shames our police, & debunks our claims to be a democracy. — Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) October 12, 2015

This kind of violence generates fear & denies free speech & free thought their ‘God-given’ sanctity.

— Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) October 12, 2015

Singer Sona Mohapatra was also critical of Shiv Sena’s views and stated that throwing paint on someone’s face will not solve anyone’s problems.

Dear Shiv Sena, Throwing paint on Sudheerna Kulkarni doesn’t make you patriotic. If you remotely care, help fight our biggest enemy- poverty — Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) October 12, 2015

This is what Bollywood actress Dia Mirza said about the event:-

Kudos #SudheendraKulkarni for not allowing intimidation and threat to weaken your choice.

— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) October 12, 2015