Shiv Sena activists disrupt Indo-Pak cultural exchange event in Mumbai

Party activists raise slogans against Pakistan

Hindu-right wing party activists disrupted a Pakistan-India cultural exchange event in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Shiv Sena activists chanted anti-Pakistan slogans at the Mumbai Press Club, where the event was taking place.



Pakistani photographers were invited by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) as part of its Mumbai-Karachi Friendship Forum, for photographers to share their experiences in the city, Times of India reported.

It was during the event that the party activists approached the stage, while raising slogans stating, 'Shiv Sena zindabad, Pakistan murdabad'. However, police officials intervened and escorted them out of the venue.

The Pakistani team of photographers arrived in Mumbai on June 20, under ORF's photography exchange programme and is expected to return to Karachi tomorrow. In return, India will send five photographers from Mumbai in July.

The works of these photographers will be exhibited in Karachi, as well as Mumbai around Independence Day.

ORF (Mumbai) chairman Sudheendra Kulkarni condemned the attempt by Shiv Sena activists to disrupt a function to introduce the visitors.



"Uddhav Thackeray is himself a good photographer, it's shocking... we will not succumb to pressure by those who think they alone are patriots. I am a proud Maharashtrian and a patriot and will continue to promote Indo-Pak friendship," Kulkarni said, recalling that despite Sena's threats and throwing of ink on his face, he had hosted a book launch for former Pakistan foreign minister Mahmood Kasuri's book last year.

Speaking at the occasion, Yusura Askari, a Karachi-based TV correspondent who is also a part of the delegation in Mumbai, said, "What we just saw is not Mumbai. It is a wonderful city and we have enjoyed our stay here. We are overwhelmed by the hospitality, love and affection shown to us."

This article originally appeared on Times of India