In Mumbai the war between the Bachchans and Raj Thackeray is hotting up, with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief defying a gag order and attacking the Bachchans. MNS workers have also torn down posters of the Bachchans' films.
MNS has said that films and advertisements featuring any of the Bachchans will be banned in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. This time, the Shiv Sena mouthpiece, Samna, has also condemned Jaya Bachchan's statement. The actress had spoken in favour of speaking in Hindi versus Marathi.
Discussing the matter with CNN-IBN Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai and CNN-IBN's Suhasini Haider were Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Spokesperson Swapna Patkar; former member of Parliament and Congress leader Sanja Nirupam; Bollywood actor Raza Murad (who has been associated with the north Indian community in Mumbai).
Is Violence The Only Solution?
Was there any need to tear down posters and say that the Bachchans' films will be banned. If MNS has a problem with them, then they can try a debate or a dialogue with the Bachchans.
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To this Swapna Patkar said, "The agitation is not for any party or any political purpose. The Maharashtrians don't want to be dinosaurs. This is a plan to make Maharashtrians extinct, which is what will happen if these dominating languages continue."
She said that if dialogue would have solved everything then MNS would not have resorted to violence.
"We had dialogue but there was no solution. Do you think there was need to make such a statement at a music release function?" she asked.
"I am a great fan of Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan's work, but I cannot love these people at the cost of self esteem and at the cost of my language - Marathi - and at the cost of my culture - Maharashtrian. We have talked and debated enough, but if that doesn't help, then we have to do this," she said.
She added that it was not a political battle but a common Maharashtrian's fight.
"You are dominating our language and culture and anyone would get angry. Ask a common Marathi what he or she wants. An apology is necessary not to Mr Raj Thackeray only but to every Maharashtrian. When you come to Maharashtra, you have to be like the Maharashtrians and if you cannot, then you have to go back," she stated.
MNS has said that films and advertisements featuring any of the Bachchans will be banned in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. This time, the Shiv Sena mouthpiece, Samna, has also condemned Jaya Bachchan's statement. The actress had spoken in favour of speaking in Hindi versus Marathi.
Discussing the matter with CNN-IBN Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai and CNN-IBN's Suhasini Haider were Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Spokesperson Swapna Patkar; former member of Parliament and Congress leader Sanja Nirupam; Bollywood actor Raza Murad (who has been associated with the north Indian community in Mumbai).
Is Violence The Only Solution?
Was there any need to tear down posters and say that the Bachchans' films will be banned. If MNS has a problem with them, then they can try a debate or a dialogue with the Bachchans.
+91
To this Swapna Patkar said, "The agitation is not for any party or any political purpose. The Maharashtrians don't want to be dinosaurs. This is a plan to make Maharashtrians extinct, which is what will happen if these dominating languages continue."
She said that if dialogue would have solved everything then MNS would not have resorted to violence.
"We had dialogue but there was no solution. Do you think there was need to make such a statement at a music release function?" she asked.
"I am a great fan of Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan's work, but I cannot love these people at the cost of self esteem and at the cost of my language - Marathi - and at the cost of my culture - Maharashtrian. We have talked and debated enough, but if that doesn't help, then we have to do this," she said.
She added that it was not a political battle but a common Maharashtrian's fight.
"You are dominating our language and culture and anyone would get angry. Ask a common Marathi what he or she wants. An apology is necessary not to Mr Raj Thackeray only but to every Maharashtrian. When you come to Maharashtra, you have to be like the Maharashtrians and if you cannot, then you have to go back," she stated.