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MNS, Sena target Jaya Bachchan

MUMBAI: An apparent off-the-cuff remark by actor Jaya Bachchan, supporting the use of Hindi by north Indians in Maharashtra, has snowballed into a controversy with the Shiv Sena and the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) launching a scathing attack on the Samajwadi Party MP.

While the Sena said: “The people of Maharashtra will not tolerate such language from Jaya Bachchan,” the MNS demanded an apology from her, saying she had insulted the Marathi people.

At the ‘Drona’ film promo here on Saturday night, Ms. Bachchan had said: “Hum U.P. ke log hai, hume Hindi mein baat karni chahiye.” (We are from Uttar Pradesh and should speak in Hindi).

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

Sena spokesperson and Ms. Bachchan’s colleague in the Rajya Sabha, Sanjay Raut, said: “The 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 the Marathi people,” MNS leader Yashwant Killedar said.

‘Drona’ is directed by Goldie Behl, and stars Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Kay Kay Menon, Ms. Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt. — PTI

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