‘Patriotic’ Shiv Sena targets Shah Rukh

The Shiv Sena on Sunday took its ‘patriotic’ agenda a notch ahead by protesting against actor Shah Rukh Khan. Khan has come in the Sena’s line of fire after speaking in favour of Pakistani cricket players who were left out in the Indian Premier League auctions.

The party, desperate to be back in political reckoning after successive electoral drubbings, held a demonstration in front of Khan’s home in Bandra (West) on Sunday. They wanted his movie, My Name is Khan, to be banned. More than 50 Sainiks were arrested.

“Shah Rukh should go to Pakistan if he wants to speak in favour of Pakistani players,” Shiv Sena leader and MLC Anil Parab, who led the protest, said. The protest was also against the actor’s decision to have Australian players in his IPL team, Knight Riders.

“This is an issue of patriotism. Shah Rukh should not interfere in politics,” said Sena leader Manohar Joshi. He chastised Khan for keeping mum on the Marathi issue. “He has been staying in Mumbai for years but he never said anything.”

A potentially explosive situation was averted when a SRK fans reached his bungalow as a sign of support. But they heeded the police request to move away. Khan is abroad shooting for his forthcoming film.

Home minister RR Patil said, “Violent protests against iconic figures and arts will not be tolerated. Not only will stern action be taken against the protesters but also the damage done during such protests will be recovered from parties involved.”