Bal Thackeray plays apologist for Prashant Bhushan attackers

Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray today virtually defended the attack on Team Anna member and lawyer Prashant Bhushan saying he had paid the price for advocating Pakistan's cause.

"Should Prashant Bhushan be showered with flowers for his anti-national comments supporting plebiscite in Kashmir, which Pakistan has been demanding," Thackeray asked in an editorial in today's edition of party mouthpiece 'Saamna'.

"Those who attacked Bhushan were not thieves or goons but had gone to question him on his comments on Kashmir," he said

Thackeray, who had supported anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare's fast on bringing Jan Lokpal Bill, said, "till Hazare and his associates spoke against corruption, it was okay."

"However, these people are voicing their opinion on everything from national security to electoral process," he noted.

The Sena supremo said Kashmir was the "crown" of India and Bhushan spoke of cutting it off. "Anna Hazare has not condemned his team member's comments. But, condemned the attack on him," Thackeray said.

The Sena chief said certain individuals and groups are getting unnecessary and undue importance and 'Team Anna' is one such group.