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Mumbai: Raj Thackeray, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, yesterday accepted Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan's apology and withdrew his party's agitation against the Bachchan family.
An off-the-cuff remark by the star's wife Jaya at an event to launch her son Abhishek's film Drona last week had invited the ire of Raj, the estranged nephew of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray. She had said, "We are from Uttar Pradesh and we will speak in Hindi. Maharashtrians should forgive us."
Terming Jaya's comment as anti-Marathi, the MNS not only threatened to stall the release of all movies starring the Bachchan family members but on Wednesday MNS workers threw stones at a multiplex where the premiere of the film, The Last Lear, was to be held. Though the premiere was cancelled, the films are expected to be released on schedule, especially now that that a truce has emerged.
'She must stick to script'
Raj told reporters today, "Jaya should not comment on issues she does not know and must stick to the script. Actually, she should have held a press conference to offer an apology. But we accept Amitabh Bachchan's public apology made at a press conference on Wednesday since he is the head of the family."
He also remarked that when Marathi people stand united, it shows the results can be victorious.
Also coming under criticism was Joint Police Commissioner for Law and Order K.L. Prasad who, Raj said, "must not meddle in politics" because of his remark to reporters that "Mumbai does not belong to anyone's father but to all citizens of India."
In his typical style, Raj dared the police officer to come on the streets of Mumbai without wearing his police badge and uniform and "see who Mumbai belongs to." He added, "Both [Jaya and Prasad] don't know what they are talking about."
Mumbai Police had issued a gag order against the MNS chief to refrain from making provocative statements but he had taken permission from Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor to express his view after Bachchan apologised for his wife's remarks. He, however, managed to take a dig at the police officer yesterday.
The drama of the past few days is seen as an attempt to gain political advantage over the Shiv Sena which in the past has made it its business to stand for the rights of Marathi-speaking people.
In spite of regularly indulging in violence, Raj and his partymen are viewed by some disadvantaged Maharashtrians as standing up for the Marathis.
However, most citizens are put off by his violent antics as not only trying to spoil the cosmopolitan atmosphere prevailing in Mumbai but not contributing anything constructive for the needy.
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