It's Salman's turn to gag Raj

Superstar Salman Khan virtually gagged Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers late on Thursday night.

 Raj Thackeray’s men had called the media to distribute copies of the letter signed by Salman, protesting the gag order on the MNS chief.

When Salman came to know of it, he successfully persuaded Thackeray to stop his  supporters from distributing copies of the letter.

MNS was all set to release a photograph of Salman, with the letter in his hand, along with brother Arbaaz and MNS Cine Workers’ Association’s Ameya Khopkar. That too was not done on Thackeray’s instruction.

This reporter, however, managed to steal a quick glance at the letter. Penned by Salman’s father Salim, and signed by both, it stated (not verbatim): “Democracy can not exist without freedom of speech. The gag on Raj Thackeray is undemocratic and unfair. In democracy, there should always be debate on issues, no matter how controversial they are. Without freedom of speech debate is not possible.”

A source in MNS said, “Though Salman Khan has not taken any stand against the North Indians, he feared the release of the letter would give him negative publicity. His posters have already been burnt in Bihar following the reports of his support to Raj saheb. That is why his lawyer came rushing to Raj saheb and requested him not to release the letter and the photograph.”
t_kiran@dnaindia.net