NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal activists demonstrated against actor Salman Khan on Friday and disrupted screenings of his latest film, `Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya,' in several parts of the country after news of his conversation with actress Aishwarya Rai, in which he allegedly revealed his links to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, spread.

Several theatres in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh stopped the film's screening, while in Delhi, Jammu, Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, security was tightened outside theatres after slogan-raising Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal activists tore down posters and banners of the film and staged demonstrations in front of theatres screening it.

`Anti-national activities'

In Aurangabad in Maharashtra, the demonstrators registered their protest with the Amba and Roxi theatre owners and urged them to cancel shows of the film.

Shiv Sena's district chief Ambadas Danwe told UNI that Sainiks opposed the screening of the film.

In Pune, BJP activists staged demonstrations in various multiplexes and theatres against the screening of the film. In Madhya Pradesh, five theatres cancelled first shows of the film facing protests by the VHP and the Bajrang Dal.

In Gujarat, several multiplexes and cinema halls today suspended the screening of `Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya.' VHP and Bajrang Dal activists protested in front of several theatres and other places in Ahmedabad.

In Patna, cinema houses held the screening of the film amid tight security.

In Jaipur, about 40 Bajrang Dal workers staged a protest at an afternoon show of the film and set fire to its banners.

In Delhi there was a lone incident wherein Shiv Sena protesters held a demonstration outside the Golcha cinema, accusing Salman Khan of sedition.

In Uttar Pradesh, the only protests were in Varanasi.

In Jammu, special security arrangements were made at KC theatre screening the Salman Khan-starrer.

Demands action

Meanwhile, in Maharashtra, the issue rocked the Legislative Assembly for the second day in succession with the Opposition demanding action against Khan.

Aishwarya Rai has decided not to react to the controversy "for the moment," her lawyer said on Friday.

— UNI, PTI

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