Central Ministers and parties cutting across political lines expressed serious concern over the paint attack on BJP’s former ideologue Sudheendra Kulkarni in Mumbai on Monday.
While the BJP-led Central Government disapproved the act of its alliance partner Shiv Sena — both at Centre and State — terming it “unjust”, BJP patriarch lK Advani stated the incident reflected “growing intolerance” in the country. The Congress dubbed the Shiv Sena as “Desi Taliban”. CPI leader D Raja said that Sena’s actions were “highly deplorable”.
“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. Kulkarni is a former close aide of Advani.
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.
“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.
Advani 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,” he said.
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.
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 competitive communalism, intolerance & misogyny and Casteism,” tweeted CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat.
Former Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao asked, “Where is my IndiaIJ 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.