Updated

New Delhi, Oct 12 (PTI): The paint attack on BJP's former strategist Sudheendra Kulkarni was today roundly condemned by political parties with its stalwart L K Advani saying it reflected "growing intolerance" in the country that is cause for concern and Congress dubbing Shiv Sena as "Desi Taliban."

As condemnation of the attack by Sena activists poured in from across the country including from the civil society, the Centre voiced its disapproval calling it "unjust."

"I strongly condemn whosoever has done it.... In the last few days, there are these signs...where any person or any point of view is not acceptable, then you resort to violence or turn intolerant towards them.

"This is a matter of concern for the nation. Democracy must ensure tolerance for a different point of view," Advani said, shortly after Sena activists smeared black paint on Kulkarni over his refusal to cancel the book launch function of former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri in Mumbai. Kulkarni is a former close aide of Advani.

In a veiled message to Shiv Sena, a key ally of BJP, the former deputy prime minister said, "at least those who are involved with us should work to strengthen democracy and not encourage such acts of violence and disown them."

"But whosoever has done it, has besmirched the good name of the country."

In a series of tweets, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh said Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray must control his "goons."

"Such Intolerance in India can't be tolerated. First Ghulam Ali concert and now Kasuri's book launch. We don't want a Desi Taliban in India," he said.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi claimed incidents of "intolerance" have risen over the last 18 months after the BJP came to power.

Another party spokesman Sanjay Jha said, "Black paint is not on @SudheenKulkarni's face, but a dark blot on Indian democracy. The forces of fascism are flying high."

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said in a democracy everyone has a right to agree or disagree but this type of protest is not justified as it is against the very core of our democratic values.

Another Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said everyone has the freedom to protest but not physically harm anyone.

"Sabhya samaj main virodh karne ka tarika hote hain (There are ways to protest in a civilised society). Our Constitution allows us to hold protest in a proper manner...One should only lodge protest under the law and this will act to strengthen our democracy," he said.

CPI (M) targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the incident, saying the top BJP leader's 'Make in India' initiative is nothing but 'Breaking India' campaign.

"Modi model is not #MakeInIndia but breaking in India & pillars r competitive communalism, intolerance & misogyny and Casteism," tweeted CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat.

CPI leader D Raja said that Sena's actions were "highly deplorable".

Former Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao asked, "Where is my India? Anguished and ashamed. I am sure Gandhiji is weeping. Tears in Heaven."

"Let us be a grown-up nation. Let us put away intolerance. Cry, the beloved country," she added.

Earlier Report

Kasuri book row: Ink attack by Shiv Sena activists on Kulkarni

Mumbai, Oct 12 (PTI): Shiv Sena activists today allegedly smeared black ink on the face of ORF chairman Sudheendra Kulkarni for organising former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book launch here.

"Shiv Sena activists threw ink at me and smeared my face. They abused me," Kulkarni alleged and said that his Observer and Research Foundation (ORF), a foreign policy think-tank, will hold Kasuri's book launch as planned here later today.

"We won't be cowed down by such events and the book launch will happen as planned," the organiser said.

Meanwhile, reacting to the ink attack on Kulkarni, senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said "smearing ink is a very mild form of democratic protest."

"We don't know if ink or tar was smeared. Nobody can foretell how public anger will explode," Raut said.

Kasuri is scheduled to attend the launch of his book 'Neither a Hawk nor a Dove: An Insider's Account of Pakistan's Foreign Policy' in Mumbai. Sena had demanded that the event be scrapped and had threatened to disrupt it.

Maharashtra's Home department, headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, had, however, assured the organiser of full security.

Kulkarni had met Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at the latter's residence 'Matoshree' here late last night, but left without getting any assurance from him.

He had earlier also said that the event will go on as planned as they have been assured full security by police.

The Shiv Sena had earlier threatened to disrupt Ghulam Ali's concerts, leading to cancellation of the Pakistani ghazal singer's events in Mumbai and Pune recently. "I pointed out to Uddhavji that Kasuri should be allowed to put forth his views. I also told him that if Sena has a different view point, they could protest in a democratic, peaceful manner," Kulkarni earlier told PTI.

"The Sena president told me that unlike Ghulam Ali, Kasuri was not an artist but was part of the machinery which perpetrated terror," he said.

"I told Uddhavji that as they (Sena) have a right to protest peacefully, we also have the right to hold the programme," he said.

"I informed him that Kasuri was Pakistan foreign minister during 2002-07 and was not a minister when the 2008 Mumbai terror attack happened," he said.

"It was brought to the Sena leader's attention that Kasuri in his book has criticised non-state actors perpetrating terror," said Kulkarni, who has served as speechwriter for BJP veterans Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani.

The Sena, which shares power with the BJP in Maharashtra, has written to the director of Worli's Nehru Centre, the launch venue, to cancel the event because of the Pakistan connection.