Sealink row: Amitabh hasn’t committed a crime, says Thackeray

Coming out in defence of old friend Amitabh Bachchan, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Saturday said the actor has done nothing wrong by attending the inauguration of the second phase of the Bandra—Worli Sea Link.

“Amitabh hasn’t committed a crime by attending the event,” Mr. Thackeray said in an editorial in party mouthpiece ’Saamana’.

Lambasting Congress for “treating the actor as an untouchable”, Mr. Thackeray said “Shah Rukh Khan, who took cudgels on behalf of Pakistanis, will do for Congress, which is allergic to Amitabh.”

“Amitabh attending the function only added to the prestige of the event,” Mr. Thackeray said on the actor sharing the dias with Congress leaders at the sealink function.

Bachchan is not a thief, dacoit or a terrorist, Mr. Thackeray said.

The presence of Bachchan at the inauguration of second phase of the Sea Link a couple of days back had sparked a controversy with Congress leaders from Mumbai taking objection to Chief Minister Ashok Chavan sharing platform with the actor who is a brand ambassador for BJP-ruled Gujarat.

“Amitabh is targeted because he is brand ambassador of Gujarat. Ambani and Tata who live in Mumbai have invested heavily in Gujarat. Will anyone from Congress ask them why they were investing in Narendra Modi’s Gujarat,” Mr. Thackeray said.

The actor belongs to the nation and will remain so, he said.

Sena to oppose Women’s Bill if force used to pass measure

Shiv Sena, an ally of NDA, which voted for the Women’s Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha, on Thursday said it will oppose it if marshals were called in and force was used to pass the measure in Lok Sabha.

“We will not allow the Bill to be passed in Lok Sabha with the use of marshals and force. We will strongly oppose it,” Anant Geete, Leader of the Party in Lok Sabha told reporters here.

Opposing the Bill in its present form, Mr. Geete alleged the government was hardly interested in the welfare of women but only wanted to take credit for the legislation.

Senior party leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi said the party is not opposed to 33 per cent reservation for women but constituencies should not be reserved and instead it should be made mandatory for the parties to give 33 per cent reservation to women.

“Our party has made it clear that it supports 33 per cent reservation. But parties should decide and reserve this and constituencies should not be reserved,” Mr. Joshi said, seeking an amendment in the Bill.

Asked what would the party do if the government brought the Bill in the same form in the Lower House, he said, “We will decide the strategy when the Bill is brought in Lok Sabha.”

Entertainment and politics should not be mixed: SRK

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who drew Shiv Sena’s ire for supporting Pakistani cricketers’ inclusion in the IPL, says he does not understand the “logic” behind the controversy and would have apologised if they had a problem with his film ‘My Name Is Khan’.

The 44-year-old superstar said what hurt him the most was the fact that his “Indianness” was questioned again and again.

Khan said that he would have apologised to Shiv Sena if the content of his film, released on February 12, was found to be offensive but did not do so because he didn’t understand the “logic” behind their anger.

“If they had a problem with my film, I would have apologised. I have done so earlier because I do not want to offend anyone with my films, my aim is to entertain. But this was about who I am as a person and my Indianness and I was hurt that I had to clarify it again and again,” said Khan in an interaction with Star News.

The actor said that he has “great respect” for the Sena leaders but feels that politics and patriotism should not have been mixed with entertainment.

“They are much older than me and I have great respect for them. But I did not understand why was the film dragged in between. I am one of those who believe that entertainment and politics should not be mixed,” he said.

“I did not understand why was my Indianness questioned. My father is a freedom fighter and I am proud of that,” he added.

MNIK a smash hit in Karachi

Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘My Name Is Khan’ is turning out to be a hit big with the moviegoers in this Pakistani city with the film running to packed houses.

“Normally the 3 and 6 o’clock shows have reasonable attendance and the late night show is packed, but this time we have been witnessing a full house for all three shows which is remarkable,” Nadeem Mandviwalla, owner of Nishat cinema, said.

The movie was released on February 12 in two main cinema theatres and also at the only multiplex which is screening it on two halls with four daily shows to cope with the rush.

“The fact that the Shiv Sena made such a big issue of Shah Rukh Khan’s statement about Pakistani cricketers has also added to the interest in the movie,” Mandviwalla said.

It is also the first major Shah Rukh Khan movie to be released in Pakistan since the government allowed screening of Indian movies in cinema halls two years back.

“In the last two years this is the first proper Shah Rukh Khan starrer that has been released in Pakistan,” another cinema manager said.

Long lines and rows of cars can be seen parked on the busy M. Jinnah road outside the two big cinema halls that are screening ‘My Name Is Khan’, causing trouble for the traffic police who are finding it difficult to cope with the rush.

“Both cinema halls have limited parking space and the people coming to watch the movie are parking their vehicles outside on the main road and that is causing problems since this road is usually congested and has heavy traffic,” traffic police sergeant, Inamullah said.

“Definitely ‘My Name Is Khan’ has generated lot of interest in Pakistan and also contributed significantly to the cultural and arts scene, but overall I think the release of Indian movies is good for us as it means people have some entertainment to look forward too,” art critic, Muneeba said.

Famous television actor and writer, Talat Hussain, said that despite recent bomb blasts in Karachi, the people were still willing to come to cinema halls and theatres to watch movies and dramas.

“It is a good sign and it shows the never say die attitude of our people, and also that our cultural scene is vibrant despite the security issues,” Hussain said.

My Name Is KHAN opens to packed theatres across country

 

Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘My Name Is Khan’ had a smooth opening on Friday across the country with Mumbai restricting the number of shows following Shiv Sena threat.

10 multiplex owners in Mumbai decided to go ahead with the screening while the single screen theatres decided against showing the movie for the time being, fearing violence.

Amid unprecedented security for the film’s release, Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil drove to multiplex INOX to catch the first show of ‘MNIK’

Khan, who is in Berlin, tweeted early on Friday morning, “good m’ing mumbai. wotever the fate of the film, never wished this upon the city that made my dreams come true & gave me all. i belong to u (sic).”

In Gujarat, the first few shows were cancelled after VHP and Bajarang Dal activists staged protests and torched posters of the movie.

The film opened to full houses in Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai and several other cities.

“Post noon shows were all sold out in our theatres in Delhi. We are booked till Sunday,” Jayendra Banerjee, Vice President Satyam Cineplexes told PTI.

“Some 75 screens in Delhi and NCR are screening the movie. The film has also benefited from the Shivratri holiday today. On an average multiplexes are running 11 to 12 shows a day,” a distributor said.

The film’s release ran into trouble after Sena lashed out at Khan for supporting inclusion of Pakistani players in the IPL.

In suburban Andheri, some Sena activists were canecharged and arrested after they pelted stones outside Fun Republic cinema, showing the film.

“We have arrested eight Shiv Sainiks who tried to disrupt the screening of the movie,” Deputy Police Commissioner, K Prasanna said.

“Am overwhelmed and moved to tears with all the support our labour of love is getting...thank you...,” filmmaker Karan Johar tweeted.

Over 1800 Sena activists were arrested by the Mumbai police to ensure the smooth release of the film.

In a massive security bandobast rare for a film, CCTV cameras with night vision were installed inside some of the cinema halls and policemen in large numbers were deployed.

Security personnel at cinema halls have been told to frisk every ticket—holder and check their bags as they enter the cinema.

’MNIK’ is the story of Rizwan Khan (SRK), a man suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome, who is mistaken for a terrorist in post 9/11 America and undertakes a long journey across the U.S. to prove his innocence to the love of his life, played by Kajol.

It is the first major Bollywood movie to be picked up by an international production house Fox Searchlight for overseas distribution. Fox reportedly bought the movie rights for a whopping Rs 100 crores.

Theatres dither on SRK film

The Maharashtra government suffered a jolt when the association of cinema hall owners announced that they would not be screening My Name is Khan on Friday — its intended date of release — due to the stringent Shiv Sena agitation against it. Throughout Thursday, the state egged them to reverse their decision.

“They should stand by what they want to do. They should release the film,” said the Chief Minister, Mr Ashok Chavan. Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan who is currently in Berlin for the premiere of his film, tweeted. “My stardom is transient. My integrity in non-negotiable ...My being Indian unquestionable... Hope peace prevails.”

In an unexpected turn, the MNS chief, Mr Raj Thackeray, targeted his uncle’s party for its “double standards” in not attacking Amitabh Bachchan despite sharing a dais with a Pakistani artiste while pouring vitriol on Shah Rukh.

Police crack down on Sainiks, tighten security in theatres

In the aftermath of vandalism in theatres that are to screen Shah Rukh Khan-starrer My Name Is Khan on Friday, the police are cracking down on the cadres of the Shiv Sena. By Wednesday evening, 59 Sainiks were arrested for substantive offences and 1,600 taken into preventive custody. Heavy security continued to be in place in theatres across the metropolis.

“The arrests are still going on,” Himanshu Roy, Joint Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, said. The police have issued an advisory to all the 63 theatres screening the movie in a bid to prevent attacks inside the hall. They have been asked to leave the first three rows empty, post two security guards near the screens and install CCTV cameras.

The day opened with theatres and multiplexes closing the bookings for the film. Cinemax also suspended online bookings. However, bookings resumed in some theatres after a meeting of film distributors.

Tension prevailed in the Lalbaug area after the arrest of prominent Sena leader and former MLA Dagdu Sakpal. Ship-owners briefly downed the shutters, resulting in a bandh-like situation. Mr. Sakpal, however, was later released on bail. An incident of stone throwing was reported from Kandivili but, by and large, the day passed off peacefully.

Home Minister R R Patil told The Hindu: “There was some tension in Lalbaug, but the situation is normal everywhere. If someone rips a poster, you cannot call that an andolan. We are providing protection.”

Withdraw threat: FISA

PTI reports from Melbourne:

The Federation of Indian Students’ Association (FISA) has urged the Shiv Sena to withdraw its threat to prevent Australian cricketers from playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament in Mumbai, arguing that this is not the right way of protesting attacks on Indians in Australia.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar met the right-wing party’s chief Bal Thackeray on the issue.

The FISA said the Shiv Sena’s approach was not correct, and Aussie players should not be targeted. “We will ask them [the Shiv Sena] to withdraw sanctions and, indeed, welcome them as partners of all Indians in Australia,” spokesman Gautam Gupta said at a press conference here on Wednesday.

MNIK protest: Over 1000 Shiv Sainiks detained

In a crackdown against Shiv Sena, over 1000 of its activists have been detained ahead of the release of Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘My Name is Khan’ after the party stepped up its protest against the film over the actor’s remarks favouring inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in IPL.

“In the last 24 hours, a total of 1,023 Sainiks have been arrested. While 955 were picked up under the preventive action, the rest were put behind bars for different cases, including for protesting outside the theatre, vandalising screens among others,” police said.

Tight security has been provided to 63 theatres across the city where the movie is scheduled to be released on February 12, they said.

Guidelines have also been issued to all police stations by the city police chief regarding security arrangements.

The Sena has renewed its threat not to allow the release of “My Name...” unless the Bollywood star retracts his statement favouring inclusion of Pakistani players in IPL—3.

“We will not allow the movie to be released. Shah Rukh should first apologise to Balasaheb (Thackeray) and then only we can talk with him,” Sena leader Manohar Joshi said yesterday.

In wake of the Sena intensifying protests against Khan, leaves of the city policemen have been cancelled to ensure their full presence.

To further strengthen security, personnel from State Reserve Police Force and Home Guards will be deployed at the 63 theatres that will screen the film here.

Karan Johar, director and co-producer of the film, on Tuesday met Police Commissioner D. Sivanandhan to discuss security issues ahead of the movie’s release.

Shiv Sena vandalises multiplexes

The Maharashtra government’s assurances of security fell flat on Tuesday as the Shiv Sena, smarting from its botched attempt at disrupting Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s visit, vandalised theatres in Mumbai where advance booking for actor Shah Rukh Khan’s film My Name Is Khan had opened.

Following his Indian Premier League stand, the party has made Mr. Khan the target of a virulent campaign, to the extent of calling him a traitor and asking him to leave for Pakistan.

The Sena’s protests against the release of the movie kicked off on Tuesday, four days ahead of its release slated for February 12. Sainiks targeted multiplexes in Mulund, Bhandup, Ghatkopar and Kanjur Marg.

They went on the rampage smashing box office windows, throwing stones and disrupting the screenings of other movies.

54 arrested

By the end of the day, the Mumbai police had arrested 54 Sena workers for rioting. Preventive arrests numbering over a hundred were also being made.

The Sena’s attack took place even as the film’s director Karan Johar met Mumbai Police Commissioner D. Sivanandan on Tuesday morning to seek an assurance of security.

Centre for strong action against Sena, MNS

The Centre on Sunday asked the Maharashtra government to take strong action against groups responsible for the recent happenings in Mumbai, a veiled reference to the Shiv Sena and the MNS in the wake of their campaign against migrants and actor Shah Rukh Khan.

Interjecting Chief Minister Ashok Chavan while he was addressing the Conference of Chief Ministers on Internal Security here, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said the whole nation wants strong action to be taken against people responsible for recent happenings in Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai.

The Shiv Sena and the MNS have taken a stand that Mumbai belongs to Marathi people only and people born and brought up in the state have first right over it.

Shiv Sena had also labelled Shah Rukh Khan as “traitor” for his comments that Pakistani players should have been included in IPL matches. Its activists tore down posters of the star’s forthcoming film My Name is Khan.

Mr. Chidambaram intervened when Mr. Chavan was referring to the need for strengthening of law.

Remember, it was NSG men from U.P. & Bihar who took on 26/11 gunmen: Rahul

AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Monday criticised the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for their unabated tirade against people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, reminding them that NSG men who vanquished terrorists during the 26/11 attacks were also from these two States and other places.

And taking a swipe at the two Sena outfits, Mr. Gandhi said, “If terrorists have to be fought with, let Biharis remain there[Mumbai].”

“In Maharashtra, MNS leader Raj Thackeray keeps saying ‘throw out people of Bihar and U.P’. But, who killed the terrorists who had attacked Mumbai? They were the NSG guys from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and from the rest of the country. At that time they did not say throw away Biharis,” Mr. Gandhi pointed out, interacting with workers of the Youth Congress and the NSUI here.

To go it alone in Bihar

Mr. Gandhi, who set out on a tour of the NDA-ruled Bihar where the Assembly elections are due later this year, said the Congress would go it alone as it did in the Lok Sabha polls.

“Congress workers will fight for the rights of the people without fear and bring about a change in Bihar,” he said at Bettiah.

Lamenting lack of development in the State, he asked youth to change Bihar. “Bihar has to be changed and it is the youth who will bring about this change by joining politics. There is no problem with the people of Bihar.”

The Congress leader took pot shots at the BJP-Janata Dal(United) government, saying funds sent by the Centre for development schemes were not utilised properly.

Shiv Sena contention a pernicious thesis: Chidambaram

Rejecting Shiv Sena’s contention of ‘Mumbai for Maharashtrians’ as a “pernicious thesis”, the Centre on Monday said the financial capital belonged to all Indians who are free to live and work there.

On Sena threats to Australian and Pakistani players’ participation in the IPL cricket event in Mumbai, Home Minister P. Chidambaram asserted that he would “guarantee them full security.”

“We reject the thesis of the Shiv Sena. Mumbai belongs to all of India and all Indians are free to live and work in Mumbai,” he said, while answering a question at a press conference here.

He said the Government of Maharashtra was competent to handle the situation and the Centre would extend help if sought. “If the government of Maharashtra seeks our advice, we will advise them but I am sure they are competent to manage the situation,” Mr. Chidambaram said.

“But, as a matter of policy, we reject the theses of the Shiv Sena and the MNS. These are pernicious theses and they have to be rejected,” he said.

Shiv Sena had on Sunday objected to the RSS view that Mumbai is for all Indians and said the city belongs only to Marathis.

On the safety of Australian and Pakistani players participating in the IPL, Mr. Chidambaram said, “Let Australian players come to India. Let Pakistani players come to India. Let them play in Mumbai and I will guarantee them full security“.

Sena had said its activists would not allow Australian players to play IPL matches in Maharashtra to protest the attacks on Indians in that country. The party has been opposing sporting ties with Pakistan contending that the neighbouring country has been supporting anti-India terrorists.

Sena, BJP differ on ‘Marathi Manoos’

In a stand that may widen the party's rift with Shiv Sena over the issue of North Indians living in Maharashtra, BJP President Nitin Gadkari on Monday said there was no conflict between regional and national identities and his party did not believe in discrimination on this basis.

Arguing that Indians from all parts of the country had a right to live anywhere within Indian borders, Mr. Gadkari said BJP was only opposed to special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370.

Mr. Gadkari reinforced the RSS view on the Maharashtra issue. “We respect as a ground reality that at a regional level there is tradition, heritage and language identity. But there is no conflict between regional and national identity. And so, we do not believe in any linguistic, religious or regional identity that discriminates or differentiates,” the BJP president said.

He said BJP recognised the presence of different cultures and languages in India. “BJP believes that there may be different languages and costumes (in various states) but it is one country,” Mr. Gadkari said, adding, “Presence of any language, regional or religious identity in a place is also a fact in India...This is also the strength of India.”

Mr. Gadkari maintained that Shiv Sena was an alliance partner and since both were independent parties, they could have differences over various issues.

“What the RSS has said (that North Indians should be protected in Maharashtra) is absolutely correct. All over India, every countryman has rights and all political parties should respect this basic feeling among all Indians,” BJP vice-president Shanta Kumar said. He said political parties should keep in mind that “just for politics, we should not divide the country.”

The RSS on Sunday said it would protect North Indians living in Maharashtra, a contention that brought the chasm between BJP and Shiv Sena, its ally in the state, out in the open. Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray-led MNS have repeatedly targeted North Indians working in Maharashtra.

Another senior RSS leader Sheshadari Chari on Monday echoed the views of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on the issue. “Every Indian should be protected everywhere, not only on Indian soil but also outside it. If Indians are attacked in Australia, even there they require to be protected. So it is not a question of North Indians being protected in Maharashtra and South Indians being protected in Delhi,” he said.

Mr. Sheshadri stressed that RSS was opposed to this idea of “segregating the people on basis of community, caste, religion or language” as it amounts to dividing them.

Responding to Mr. Bhagwat’s remarks, Sena leader Manohar Joshi had on Sunday said, “The time has come to remind RSS that Mumbai belongs to Marathi people only.”

Uddhav takes on RSS

Meanwhile, targeting RSS over its spokesperson Ram Madhav’s statement about protecting north Indians against any discrimination in Mumbai, Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray on Monday asked the Sangh not to interfere on the issue of Maharashtra capital.

“Ram Madhav should not worry about Mumbai issue and should not teach us patriotism and unity,” Mr. Uddhav told reporters here on Monday.

“During 1992 Hindu-Muslim riots, Sena protected Hindus but where was RSS that time,” Mr. Uddhav said.

Mr. Ram Madhav should worry about south Indian States and teach Hindi in those States, Mr. Uddhav said.

Setting aside Shiv Sena’s claim that Mumbai was for Marathi manoos only, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had said recently, “Mumbai is for all Indians. People of all languages, communities, tribes are children of India...Nobody can prevent Indians from moving to any part of the country in search of employment.”

Shiv Sena protests outside Shah Rukh’s residence

Intensifying its protest against actor Shah Rukh Khan for supporting the cause of Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) fiasco, the Shiv Sena on Sunday held a demonstration outside his home here, even as the actor and his colleague Aamir Khan were dubbed by the party as “2 Idiots.” 

“Shah Rukh should go to Pakistan if he wants to speak in favour of Pakistani players,” said Shiv Sena leader and MLC Anil Parab, who led the party activists in protesting at ‘Mannat,’ Mr. Khan’s home in suburban Bandra. The police stepped up security ahead of the protests.

The Sainiks displayed a ‘ticket’ from Mumbai to Pakistan and demanded a ban on the actor’s upcoming movie My Name is Khan.

Supporting the protest, senior party leader Manohar Joshi said: “This is the issue of patriotism and Shah Rukh should not interfere in politics…He has been staying in Mumbai for years but has never spoken anything for Marathi.”

The protests came after suspected Shiv Sena activists went on the rampage on Friday tearing down posters of Mr. Khan in Thane district over his remarks that Pakistani cricketers should not have been ignored for the third edition of the IPL tournament.

After targeting him, the party also dragged in Aamir Khan, calling the duo “2 Idiots.”

“In real life, Aamir and Shah Rukh have been proved as ‘2 Idiots,’ as both are making stupid statements supporting the cause of Pakistani cricketers,” said a statement in the Sena’s Hindi mouthpiece Dopahar Ka Saamna.

Joint Police Commissioner (Law and Order) Himanshu Roy said several policemen have been deployed outside the actor’s bungalow to avoid any untoward incident after the police received information that Shiv Sena activists would hold protests there. Those violating the law would be dealt with severely, he said.

Mr. Khan had not asked for any security at his residence, Additional Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta said.

The Sena statement in Dopahar Ka Saamna said: “On the one hand, while SRK is openly displaying his love for Pakistani players, Aamir has even put nationalistic sentiments in his utterances on this issue…According to Aamir, if any cricketer is good, he would like to have him in his team, it makes no difference to him, which country he belongs to.”

Mumbai is for all, says RSS, sets collision course with Shiv Sena

Disunity in the Sangh Parivar over Marathi came out into the open on Sunday with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh headed for a confrontation with the Shiv Sena over whether Mumbai belongs to all Indians or only to Marathis.

The RSS has issued a diktat to its cadre in Maharashtra to protect North Indians throughout the state and to prevent the growth and spread of anti-Hindi sentiments. The RSS chief, Mr Mohan Bhagwat, said: “It is not fair to restrain our own people from settling in any part of the country. Nobody should play politics on linguistic issues.”

The Sena hit back at the RSS on Sunday, and the senior Sena leader, Mr Manohar Joshi, responding to Mr Bhagwat’s remarks, said: “The time has come to remind the RSS that Mumbai belongs to Marathi people only, and they should get priority here... The Sena is with the Sangh on Hindutva ideology as always, but the RSS should not overlook the plight of the Marathi manoos and their right over Mumbai.”