Congress throws its weight behind Shah Rukh Khan

Coming to the defence of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, who is under threat from the Shiv Sena for his remarks in favour of Pakistani cricket players, the Congress today said it would see how the saffron outfit stalled the screening of his film in Maharashtra.

"We will see to it how the goons of Bal Thackeray prevent theatres in Maharashtra from screening Shahrukh Khan's film," AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh told reporters in Allahabad.

Alleging that the Shiv Sena was frustrated over its rejection by voters in the last assembly polls in Maharashtra, Singh said the Congress will not allow Thackeray's party to vent its frustration in this manner.

Coming down heavily on Bal Thackeray's son and Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav for his statement "warning" Rahul Gandhi against visiting Mumbai, Digvijay said if the Congress general secretary wished to go to Mumabi no one could stop
him.

"If Rahul Gandhi wishes to go to Mumbai, then he will go," Singh said a day ahead of the young MP's proposed tour of the city.

Describing the father son duo (Bal and Uddhav Thackeray) as well as their estranged kin MNS chief Raj Thackeray as "paper tigers who can grunt but never bite", Singh, said the party would request the Centre to frame stringent laws which could put an effective check on such "subversive elements".

"It is not that the Congress government in Maharashtra is incapable of controlling these people. But under the existing laws, quick action may be difficult. We will request the Centre to bring in some stringent laws".