In the democracy called India, there are always multiple agreements as well as discords over issues, ideologies and opinions. While some voice their freedom of speech and expression through legitimate means of debates and discussions, there are others who take the violent routes. And one such being ink/paint attack on anyone and everyone who voices their independent views which do not gain widespread ‘acceptance’.
Here is a list of some of the famous personalities who have been victim to such ink attacks :
1. Engineer Rashid/Abdul Rashid Sheikh, J&K MLA, October 19, 2015
Abdul Rashid Sheikh, the independent MLA from Langate in North Kashmir was attacked by members of right wing Hindu Sena in Delhi. The attackers threw ink at him for hosting a beef party at MLA hostel in Srinagar. The attack came weeks after he was beaten by BJP MLAs in the Jammu and Kashmir State Assembly for the same reason which led to condemnation from J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and a walk-out by the Opposition National Conference.
A file photo of Engineer Rashid after the attack | Source: PTI
2. Sudheendra Kulkarni, Writer-Activist, October 12, 2015
The writer activist got his face blackened by Shiv Sena activists for organising the book launch of former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri in Mumbai. The incident led to nationwide outrage despite the fact that the party fully supported its ‘valiant’ act and honoured the men involved. “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,” were the words of senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut.
Sudheendra Kulkarni, with face blackened by Shiv Sena activists, and former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri showing the latter’s book at a press conference in Mumbai | Source: PTI
3. Arvind Kejriwal, Politician, March 25, 2014
The Aam Aadmi Party supremo was attacked by Modi supporters while campaigning during the Lok Sabha elections in Varanasi. He was called a ‘traitor’ by hundreds of slogan-shouting people who blocked his cavalcade with the chants of ‘Modi! Modi!’ The man who threw the ink was later identified as Ambrish, a member of Hindu Vahini Sena.
A file photo of Arvind Kejriwal after the attack | Source: PTI
4. Yogendra Yadav, Politician-Academic, March 8, 2014
The former member of the Aam Aadmi Party was attacked while he was addressing supporters at a Women’s Day event in Jantar Mantar, Delhi. The 38-year-old attacker named Sagar Bhandari, who was himself a member of the same party, smeared ink on Yadav’s face. He was later roughed up by the other members but was not handed over to the police.
Source: YouTube/ABP News
5. Baba Ramdev, Yoga Guru-Spiritual Leader, J anuary 14, 2012
During a press conference in New Delhi in 2012, Kamran Siddique, a man running an NGO named Real Cause threw ink at the Yoga Guru. He was caught by Ramdev’s supporters and was beaten. As per reports, Ramdev had ignored the Siddique’s question about his opinion on Batla House encounter which took place in the year 2008.
A file photo of Baba Ramdev after the attack | Source: PTI