Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has said his party will not allow the release of Bachchan films till Jaya Bachchan makes an unconditional apology over her alleged anti-Marathi remarks. At the ‘Drona’ film promo, Jaya had said “Hum UP ke log hai, hume Hindi mein baat karni chahiye” (we are from Uttar Pradesh and should speak in Hindi). Abhishek Bachchan who stars ‘Drona’ was also present with Priyanka Chopra and Goldie Behl, the director of the movie.

Those lines from Jaya were enough to spark controversy and then came array of comments from Sena members:

“Can she dare utter such remarks in Assam, where people are killed for speaking in Hindi,” a Sena leader said.

“She should go to the South (South India) and propagate Hindi there,” he added.

Sena spokesperson and Jaya Bachchan’s colleague in Rajya Sabha Sanjay Raut said: “People of Maharashtra will not tolerate such language.”

“The Bachchans have been living here for so many years and saying that they do not know the local language is an insult to Marathi people,” MNS leader Yashwant Killedar.

Also some members of MNS were seen putting a railway ticket poster for Jaya Bachchan to leave Mumbai and go to Allahabad.

Jaya Bachchan’s remarks also irked Shiv Sena, who stated that she should not make such comments, which can hurt the sentiments of the people of Maharashtra.

Congress did come as a rescue when MPCC spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam said “Leaders whose children study in elite English schools like Bombay Scottish have no business targeting others”.

Whatever the case is, MNS are again in the limelight for their Pro-Marathi campaign and Raj Thackery is enjoying politicising the issue.

Just pondering, “Is a common Mumbaite affected by this drama?” Are we running short of issues to highlight than to discuss this minor issue? I am not saying Jaya Bachchan was right in her statements, but she has been a victim of constant attacks by the Sena members on her family. Well whatever the case might be, movie ‘Drona’ will be publicised whenever this topic is discussed and Raj Thackery, whose name only features in these controversies will be highlighted. Good Publicity!

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