Running now: Shobhaa vs Shiv Sena

Mumbai: In a vitriolic attack against Shobhaa De for opposing mandatory screening of Marathi films, Shiv Sena on Thursday, staged a protest outside her residence, alleging that she has insulted Maharashtrian culture by opposing government decision on mandatory screening of Marathi films, and said she should not stay in the state. 

The protesters gathered at De’s Cuff Parade residence in Mumbai. They brought with them a tray of “Vada Pav” and “Dahi Misal” as De’s mocking tweet had said that Marathi delicacies will now be available in theatres instead of popcorn.

De, however, remained firm on her statement and said she was not worried by such remarks.

“I am not at worried. I am very confident. And whatever is said … We will see,” she said, adding she had got support from all quarters.

“I am completely overwhelmed by the support not just on the social media but everywhere,” she said.

Shiv Sena had earlier said Bal Thackeray had not done “dadagiri” to preserve Marathi culture, her forefathers would “have been born in Pakistan” and she would have “attended Page-3 parties in a burqa”. 

De, reacting to Maharashtra government’s controversial move to make it mandatory for multiplexes to screen Marathi films in the prime time slot, had earlier tweeted: “I love Marathi movies. Let me decide when and where to watch them, Devendra Fadnavis. This is nothing but Dadagiri.” 

The ruling alliance partner had on Wednesday sought to move a breach of privilege motion against the well-known novelist, taking objection to her tweet on Maharashtra government’s decision.

“You have done great service to the Marathi land in which you were born. It is unfortunate for Maharashtra that such comments came from a Marathi woman,” an editorial in Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamna’ said on Thursday. 

Coming down heavily on the author, the editorial said, “Since you have termed the decision of the state government as dadagiri, let us tell you (Shobhaa)…Had Chhatrapati Shivaji, in his time, and Balasaheb Thackeray not done ‘dadagiri’, then your forefathers and her children would have been born in Pakistan and you would have been attending Page 3 parties in a burqa.”

“The comments that Shobha has made on Marathi culture and food amount to insulting the Marathi people. She has even insulted our culture,” the Sena said. When asked about the editorial’s reference to Pakistan, the party clarified that the comments were made only to highlight the fight of Shivaji and Bal Thackeray “against the injustice” meted out to Marathi people.

Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik, raising point of propriety in the state Legislative Assembly, had said that De had hurt the sentiments of the House and sought to move breach of privilege motion against her. He said that in her tweet, De remarked that popcorns will now be replaced by (Marathi delicacies) ‘dahi misal’ and ‘vada pav’ in multiplexes.

(With inputs from PTI)