Shiv Sena activists on Friday went on the rampage tearing down posters of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's latest flick over his remarks favouring inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in IPL, after which Maharashtra government issued a stern warning against trouble makers.
Sena activists reached a theatre at Eternity mall in Thane and tore down posters of the actor's upcoming film `My Name is Khan' and also handed over a letter to the owner warning him of dire consequences if the movie was shown.
Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe said the government would provide security to Khan, if it was sought and "strict action will be taken against those taking law into their hands. Whatever Shah Rukh has said is his personal opinion. Politics and sport should not be combined." "Sena has its own agenda. They are doing their work but we will protect the citizens," the Minister said.
Asked about Sena's threat not to allow Australian cricketers to play in IPL matches in Maharashtra, Bagwe told reporters "it is our responsibility to provide security to all games to be played in the state and players."
Deploring the snub the Pakistani cricketers at IPL auction, Khan, co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, had recently said they should have been welcomed. "We would have loved to have Pakistani players if they were made available legally," he had said. Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena slammed Shahrukh for lamenting the exclusion of Pakistani players from IPL and dared him to take them in his team.
"If Shah Rukh wants Pakistani cricketers to play, he should go to Karachi and Islamabad to play with them," Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut told a press conference. "If he includes Pakistani players in his team, he should be aware of the consequences," Raut warned. PTI
