Click to play videoMaharashtra government is going all out to ensure that Shiv Sena cannot disrupt Shah Rukh Khan's film My Name Is Khan in the state. The government has cancelled the leave for the entire police force to send out a tough message to the Shiv Sena that it will crack down on the politics of vandalism.
CNN-IBN spoke to Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on the issue of Shiv Sena targeting Shah Rukh Khan's movie My Name Is Khan.
CNN-IBN: Appreciate your joining us. Day after you have promised security to My Name is Khan, Shiv Sena has attacked two more theatres. It does not seem that Sena is concerned about what Chavan says or does?
Ashok Chavan: 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.
CNN-IBN: That action is not having results on the ground. On the ground the Sena seems ready to do what it feels?
Ashok Chavan: No, no Rajdeep. We've already arrested 55 people. They are behind bars for various activities they have done. They have attempted to tear the cinema screens at metro and in the R City mall and R city theatre. So a total of 55 people have been arrested. Police have taken action against them and plus taken preventive measure.
CNN-IBN: But you are only arresting foot soldiers, not those who are instigating the violence?
Ashok Chavan: 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 I have already withdrawn the security of all the Sena leaders. If required, I will also withdraw the security of Mr Uddhav Thackeray.
CNN-IBN: You are making an important point. If necessary then you will withdraw Uddhav's security?
Ashok Chavan: You see Rajdeep, for 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 Mumbai city. But under any circumstances I will not tolerate this.
CNN-IBN: If provocative statements continue then you are ready to withdraw Thackeray's security that is what you are saying?
Ashok Chavan: That's right, I am very clear about it. We have already taken such initiative. The question is anybody resorting to this, we will not only withdraw security but we will also take action against them.
CNN-IBN: When you say action - only lower level people get caught, not those at top, you are scared against the T-company?
Ashok Chavan: Rajdeep, there is no question of being scared. The Government is serious about the issue.
CNN-IBN: Will you hold Sena leadership responsible for any attack on the film My Name is Khan if it happens on Friday?
Ashok Chavan: Let us not jump to hypothetical questions. I'm very clear on it, I appeal to the people of Maharashtra to watch the film. People should not to be scared away by any such threats. In fact, I'm also going to watch the film.
CNN-IBN: You said, you were ready to act against Saamna to us, but Saamna continues to attack individuals, threatening violence. Why can't you act against Saamna?
Ashok Chavan: No, we are under the process of taking legal opinion from the advocate and other people. Definitely, the action will be taken.
CNN-IBN: Why do you need legal opinion - it should not take 15 days to get legal opinion. Saamna has been carrying on like this for decades, everyone knows about it?
Ashok Chavan: Rajdeep, the question is whatever is written in the press has to be examined from a legal point of view that whether it is actionable and definitely, if it is actionable, action will be taken.
CNN-IBN: How can people believe you, when your coalition partner's leader Sharad Pawar goes to Thackeray. It seems he has to rely on Thackeray to protect Mumbai and that he has no faith in your leadership?
Ashok Chavan: Rajdeep, I wont like to comment, I have made myself and my role very clear that there cannot be two parallel power centres in the state. It is a democratically elected government. We are capable to handle any law and order situation.
CNN-IBN: Do you think Pawar was wrong to go to Bal Thackeray?
Ashok Chavan: Why don't you ask Mr Pawar to come and talk it, I wont comment on such a statement.
CNN-IBN: This time Shah Rukh Khan is getting attacked, but if next time some taxi drivers are attacked, will you provide the same kind of security? Will you ensure security for someone not as big as Shah Rukh Khan?
Ashok Chavan: Rajdeep, that is why I said that there cannot be a policeman after every person. My appeal to the people of Maharashtra from all caste, community and everybody is that we are first Indians. Lets come together and fight this Shiv Sena's style of bullying people.
CNN-IBN: You are not answering my question. You have cancelled leave for policemen in the case of Shah Rukh Khan, but if Taxi drivers attacked then?
Ashok Chavan: See, whether he is a taxi driver, a dabbawala, or Shah Rukh Khan or anybody; everybody will be treated at par.
CNN-IBN: But is the situation so grave that it is fit to declare a virtual emergency in Maharashtra with leaves of all policemen quashed?
Ashok Chavan: No, you see, the unfortunate part of the entire thing is that the policemen are also human beings. Their real duty is to handle terrorism and other law and order problems. But the issue is that with Shiv Sena's style of bullying people, we have to see that we have to concentrate on this issue.
CNN-IBN: Do you think Mumbai's image has been damaged? It seems that Shiv Sena's writ runs in Mumbai - thats the feeling, doesn't it damage your government's image also?
Ashok Chavan: I want to tell that there is no question of the government's image. The question is that we are not going to tolerate this bullying tactics of Shiv Sena, we'll take all the legal action. I want the support from the people of Maharashtra to the Government to see that life is normal. Let us resort to see that we fight back.
CNN-IBN: Ok, one last time - you said that you will go to the extent of withdrawing Uddhav's security if this kind of attacks from the Sena continue, that you will send a kind of a message to the Thackerays by withdrawing their security. Will you live upto your word?
Ashok Chavan: We will take action against all those, who are involved in creating law and order problem in the state.
CNN-IBN: Mr Chavan, none of these actions are taking place without the Sena leadership's knowledge - former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Sena leader Manohar Joshi has said that he will not allow screening of My Name is Khan in Mumbai?
Ashok Chavan: The film will be screened and we will provide all the security for the screening of the film.
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