Shiv Sena's dilemma: slam SRK or spare him

Mumbai: Shiv Sena workers were supposed to greet Shah Rukh Khan with protests when he returned to Mumbai on Saturday. They didn’t--the party just can’t make up its mind how to deal with the actor.

The party has threatened to ban Khan’s new film, My Name Is Khan, in Mumbai theatres for favouring Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and it has sought an apology from him. Posters and banners of the movie have been torn, but sources tell CNN-IBN certain Shiv Sena leaders now want a moderate approach.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has written an editorial against Khan in party mouthpiece Saamna editorial, but he didn’t urge Sena workers to block the film’s screening.

“Shahrukh's film My Name Is Khan will be released soon with the blessings of the Italian bai (Congress chief Sonia Gandhi) and the prince (Congress MP Rahul Gandhi), without any security at theatres.

“Shiv Sena will not oppose it. Traitors! With Congress' backing all of you can keep up your anti-national sentiments and actions. Shiv Sena will not block you,” wrote Raut.

Sources tell CNN-IBN senior Sena leaders Manohar Joshi, Rajya Sabha MP Bharatkumar Raut and spokesperson Neelam Gorhe want party to soften its stand.

These party leaders want to avoid embarrassment after Shiv Sena workers’ protest against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Mumbai on Friday failed to impress people.

Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray though insists the party is not softening its protest against Khan. The actor can visit party chief Bal Thackeray’s residence and apologise to him, he said.

"We have not said we won't oppose the film. Whatever Shiv Sainiks do will be a spontaneous reaction to this issue. If Shah Rukh wants to come to Matoshri and explain his mistake to Balasaheb he is welcome," he said in a statement.

Khan won’t be apologizing. "I have only said what every Indian should. I stand by what I have said. I think there's a bit of agenda and politics in all this," he told reporters in Mumbai on Saturday.

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#Shiv Sena #Shah Rukh Khan #My Name is Khan