This morning, activist and writer Sudheendra Kulkarni, one of the organisers for former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri’s book launch in Mumbai, was attacked outside his home allegedly by Shiv Sena members who threw black ink on his face on Monday.

"The Shiv Sainiks attacked me outside my home. Right as I was leaving they smeared black ink on me. I was abused by them," Kulkarni said, alleging that eight to 10 Sena activists were involved.

The Sena has said it will not allow Kasuri's book launch. The party - which co-governs Maharashtra with the BJP - has cited Pakistan's support to terror as the reason.

"The Shiv Sena has absolutely no power to impose such a ban. We will not cancel the book launch. We have taken a principled stand," Kulkarni has said. A former BJP advisor, Kulkarni said: "Na dhamki se, na sau bandook se, na goli se...baat banegi boli se (Not threats, nor bullets, only dialogue will help)."

He has asked Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for "adequate security" for Kasuri and the event today at 5.30 pm.

Kulkarni met Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday night in a bid to get his backing for the book launch. However, the Sena said that it will not go back on its protest.

Sena spokesperson Harshal Pradhan said the party would carry out protests outside the venue of the event on Monday.

“However, we will have to ascertain the identity of the people who attacked. If there are Sainiks, we are proud of them,” he said.

Kasuri was Pakistan’s foreign minister under General Pervez Musharraf and has elaborated on his stint in his book. The book was first released in Lahore last month and in Delhi last week. The Mumbai launch is being organised by the Observer Research Foundation.