The rank and file of Shiv Sena is wondering why Amitabh Bachchan has not been targeted by the party for openly sharing dais with a Pakistani actor recently in an Indo-Pak amity event. So is Raj Thackeray,Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on Thursday took on Bachchan, saying he should apologise for rubbing shoulders with Zia Mohyeddin, Pakistani actor, in a poetry-reading programme. Bachchan and his wife Jaya have been Raj’s favourite targets at the peak of his party’s virulent campaign against migrants.
Political observers believe that Raj, by seeking an apology from Bachchan in the thick of the Sena’s agitation against Shah Rukh Khan, is trying to win over Shiv Sena grassroots to his side. DNA on Wednesday had published a report that common Shiv Sainiks were in favour of boycott on Bachchan too, especially when Khan is being targeted for speaking out in favour of Pakistani cricketers’ participation in IPL.
“Why are those are seeking an apology from Khan are silent over Bachchan?” Thackeray said, “Why are they not giving him the same treatment?”
Thackeray clarified that his demand of apology from Bachchan is not an attempt to add fuel to the fire. “I am not a friend of Shah Rukh’s. Our relations are limited to only “hi” and “hello” whenever we bump into each other. I am neither close to Shah Rukh nor angry with Bachchan,” he said.
He alleged that Bachchan’s decision to deny a D.Lit by Queensland University in Australia was nothing but a publicity stunt. “Bachchan had refused to accept the D.Lit in protest of attacks on the Indians in Australia. But he shares dais with Pakistani artistes.”
“When I made some remarks on Bachchan they (Sena) said he was a patriot. Now, who will speak? Those who have family relations with him should ask him to apologise,” he said. The Bachchans are known to share very cordial relations with the Thackerays.
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