New Delhi, Oct 12 (PTI): Bharatiya Janata Party patriarch L.K. Advani on Monday condemned the smearing of ink on his former aide Sudheendra Kulkarni by Shiv Sena activists, and voiced concern over ”growing intolerance” in the country towards any counter viewpoint.

”I strongly condemn whosoever has done it.... In the last few days, there are these signs...where any person or any point of view is not acceptable, then you resort to violence or turn intolerant towards them,” Advani said, without naming the Shiv Sena.

”This is a matter of concern for the nation. Democracy must ensure tolerance for a different point of view,” Advani said.

Advani was speaking on the sidelines of a function where a journal on strategic affairs named 'Chanakya' was launched.

He said he did not have any information on who attacked Kulkarni since he had not yet spoken to him.

”I could not contact Sudheendra ji. I think, at least those who are involved with us should work to strengthen democracy and not encourage such acts of violence and disown them”.

”I do not know who has done it and therefore I cannot name anyone. But whosoever has done it, has besmirched the good name of the country,” the former deputy Prime Minister said.

Shiv Sena activists on Monday smeared black paint or ink on the face of Kulkarni, who is the chairman of think tank Observer Research Foundation, for organising former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book launch in Mumbai.