Observer Research Foundation chairman Sudheendra Kulkarni on Tuesday described himself as an "agent of peace" and not a "Pakistani agent" as labelled by Shiv Sena for hosting former Pakistan minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and asked the saffron party to respect other people's freedom of expression.
"I have been labelled a Pakistani agent in Sena mouthpiece Saamana. I respect their freedom of expression. They should also respect others' freedom of expression," Kulkarni said at a press conference in Mumbai.
The ORF had organised Kasuri's book launch event at Nehru Centre in Worli, Central Mumbai, which took place as scheduled on Monday evening amidst tight security.
"When it is said I am a Pakistani agent, I say yes, I am an agent but an agent of peace and will continue to be one," he said.
Asked about the arrest of six persons who allegedly smeared his face black on Monday for organising Kasuri's book launch in Mumbai, he said, "I am not concerned about their arrest and bail. I have faith in our judiciary."
"Ours is a democracy. Freedom of thought and speech is a fundamental thing," Kulkarni said.
"ORF is a non-political organisation. I don't want to comment on Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party ties," he said.
To a question on the performance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kulkarni, who has served as speech writer for BJP veterans Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani, said "From the day he assumed office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun efforts to usher in a new beginning in south Asia."
Both the sides (India and Pakistan) want the dialogue to go ahead, he said.
"I am happy that the people of Mumbai appreciated our efforts," Kulkarni said, and thanked those who attended the book launch in large numbers despite the Sena threat to disrupt the event.
Meanwhile, reacting to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' criticism of blackening of Kulkarni's face, Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said, "CM Fadnavis has not understood Maharashtra. In fact, the state has been defamed due to his statement."
Raut's response came amid reports that Sena workers, who blackened Kulkarni's face on Monday, met party president Uddhav Thackeray at the latter's residence Matoshree in suburban Bandra on Tuesday.
