Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Tuesday sent out a strong warning to the Shiv Sena, stating that his government would withdraw the security cover for party leader Uddhav Thackeray if he continued to instigate his party men.
Shiv Sena activists have been targeting cinema houses in Mumbai that are planning to show Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's forthcoming movie My Name Is Khan.
Chavan told television channel CNN-IBN that the state government would pull out all stops to ensure the film's release on February 12.
"We have told them that we'll withdraw security of all those people who are involved in those activities. I have already withdrawn the security of all Shiv Sena leaders, and if required, I will also withdraw the security of Uddhav Thackeray," he said.
He also asserted that his government will not tolerate Sena's 'bullying tactics' and will spare nobody who came in the way of the release.
"There is no question of what Shiv Sena feels about it. I have assured the people of Maharashtra that we will take strong action against anybody who will take law into their hands," he said.
"For the Sena, it has become a matter of prestige, they are losing ground politically. So a non-issue has been picked up by them to create terror in the city, but we will not, under any circumstances, tolerate this," he added.
