Mumbai Police gears up for “My Name Is Khan” release

Thousands of police will guard Mumbai’s cinemas today after its most feared political leader threatened violent protests against the latest film of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan

Bal Thackeray, the leader of the city’s most powerful political street gang, has warned that he will sabotage the release of Shak Rukh Khan’s “My Name is Khan” unless the actor apologises for opposing a boycott of Australian and Pakistani cricket players.
Mr Thackeray’s supporters warned that Pakistani players were not welcome in the city after the 2008 terror attacks, while Australians, he said, should be shunned following a spate of racist attacks on Indians in Australia.

Mr Khan is the owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders Indian Premier League Twenty20 cricket team and had said Pakistani stars should be allowed to play.
The likelihood of violent clashes rose after Mr Khan rejected Mr Thackeray’s threat yesterday, leaving Mumbaikars to decide between the actor they most love and the political street thug they most fear.

Last night one of the Mr Thackeray’s Shiv Sena party leaders, Mohan Rawale, told The Daily Telegraph: “Shah Rukh Khan’s statement about the inclusion of Pakistani players in IPL was outrageous. If he doesn’t tender an apology, we will teach him a lesson. The government is saying they will provide protection to cinemas but that won’t change the public’s sentiments. We will not allow any film which portrays him as an idol to come out in public,” he said.
According to Vir Sanghvi, a leading commentator, the row has grown into a battle over who Mumbai belongs to – every Indian who dreams of making his fortune in the city or anti-Muslim nationalists who believe native-Mumbaikars should receive privileged treatment.

In recent months Thackeray’s supporters have attacked rickshaw pullers and taxi drivers from the poor northern Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh who they say are taking jobs from locals.

The clash intensified last week when the Congress dynasty scion Rahul Gandhi challenged Mr Thackeray’s claim that Mumbai belonged to Maharashtrians and took a train through the Shiv Sena leader’s Vile Parle heartland to press his point.

Vir Sanghvi said the confrontation marked the beginning of Mr Thackeray’s demise: “Mumbai is India’s advertisement to the world. It has a Dick Whittington element. Anyone can go to Bombay and make their fortune: Shah Rukh Khan is from Delhi. It’s a symbol for all Indians – the city will give you a fair shake. Bal Thackeray is a threat to that,” he said.

Mr Thackeray cuts an eccentric figure in Indian politics. He has voiced admiration of Hitler, was a friend of the late Michael Jackson, and supported attacks on courting couples celebrating St Valentine’s Day. He has backed anti-Muslim riots in the city and once voiced anger when a film-maker suggested he regretted his role in them.