Speaking to media after laying floral wreath at Quaid’s mausoleum in Karachi, he said he had arrived in the city as a messenger of peace.
He accompanied the Indian delegation comprising former foreign minister Mani Shankar and secretary foreign affairs Salman Haider.
I visited mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali #Jinnah in #Karachi this morning. Paid homage to this Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity. 11
— Sudheendra Kulkarni (@SudheenKulkarni) November 4, 2015
Kulkarni said,“I respect Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah from heart.” He was of the view that several issues facing the region could be resolved if vision of Quaid-e-Azam and Gandhi was practically followed.
In #Karachi speeches I said: #Jinnah had desired India-#Pakistan ties to be like those betn USA-Canada. Wrong for Indians to demonise him 12 — Sudheendra Kulkarni (@SudheenKulkarni) November 4, 2015
Sudheendra Kulkarni had ink thrown on him by a group of activists from the Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena party. Kulkarni had organised the launch of former Pakistani foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri’s book.
Indian and Pakistani leaders should learn PRAGMATISM from China and Taiwan, whose presidents will meet for 1st time in 66 years in Singapore
— Sudheendra Kulkarni (@SudheenKulkarni) November 4, 2015
Kulkarni had condemned the Shiv Sena for the attack on him and said the group had also threatened to disrupt the launch of Kasuri’s book in “typical Shiv Sena style”.
Visit to ‘Mandir’ in Karachi
During his visit, Kulkarni also visited Swami Narayan Mandir in Karachi and offered prayers and performed pre-Diwali aarti.
He said, “One of the many memorable highlights of my journey to Karachi has been the opportunity to visit Swami Narayan Mandir, participate in the pre-Diwali aarti at the temple, and interact with the large community of Hindus.”
I sincerely thank Shri Atam Parkash Chanani, a tireless activist for Hindu welfare in Pakistan (he runs the Hindu Helpline in Karachi), for taking me (on November 1, 2015) to this ancient temple, which is located in front of the majestic building of the Karachi Municipal Corporation.