Raj Thackeray threatens to shut channels misquoting him
3 Sept 2012 11:54 AM IST
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray Sunday took potshots at Hindi news channels and said that he would shut them all down if they did not stop misquoting his speeches.
'People from Hindi channels dole out news without understanding the issue. Such channels should discontinue doing this, otherwise we will do what we can to stop this game,' Thackeray declared.
He then joked about how the channels would run 'breaking news' about his 'threat'.
'I am sure these channels will be running 'Breaking News'... 'Raj Thackeray threatens to shut down Hindi news channels,' he said, gesturing wildly with his hands, mocking the news channels.
Speaking about the cases filed against him and the coverage of it in the media, Thackeray claimed that he knew the law. 'Don't issue me threats claiming that you will file (criminal or defamation) cases against me. I know of several laws that are broken every now and then. Should I also go to court and sue those guilty,' he questioned.
Lashing out at Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh's remark that Thackeray's family too came originally from Bihar, he said, 'Digvijay Singh says anything that comes to his mind, however irrelevant. He is someone the Congress keeps, to take the brunt of all criticism.'
Thackeray, in a slapstick manner, retorted to Singh's remark with a question: 'So is Digvijay Singh's family from Sulabh Shauchalay (public toilet)?'
Last week, Thackeray had called Biharis in Maharashtra 'infiltrators' in reaction to reports of a letter from the Bihar chief secretary warning Mumbai Police against picking up suspects from the state without first informing local police. 'How come most offenders are from Bihar,'.
Thackeray asked, adding that there was no need for Bihari politicians to teach Maharashtra the rules. Bringing up the matter of the cinema wing of MNS's threat to disrupt shooting of a television programme featuring Pakistani artistes, Thackeray said he did not favour the inclusion of Pakistani performers.
'I stand by my views. It is wrong to entertain Pakistani artistes when we are not welcome in their country,' he said.
Asha Bhonsle is also a part of the show titled Sur Kshetra. When Bhonsle said that she does not understand politics, and that she considers guests like god, Thackeray rebuked the singer saying he wondered if the real reason she participated in the show was 'Paisa devo bhava' (Money is god).
RAJ THACKERAY VERSUS NORTH INDIANS
TV EDITORS ASKS MAHA TO PROTECT MEDIA AFTER MNS ‘THREAT’
The ‘threats’ issued by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray against Hindi news channels were an ‘assault on roots of democracy’, a body of editors of electronic news channels said here on Sunday.
The Broadcast Editors’ Association in a release asked the Maharashtra Government to ensure protection to media personnel in Mumbai against ‘lumpen elements’.
‘We take serious note of threats given by the MNS Chief against Hindi news channels and feel that this is not a threat held out against media but an assault on the roots of democracy,’ it said in a release.
‘Such statements are not acceptable in a democratic society and reveal his contempt for Constitution, rule of law and society,’ the Association said.
The BEA said it does not believe in reacting to ‘such aberrations with an element of vindictiveness’ and demanded that the central and the Maharashtra governments ‘initiate legal action under IPC in larger interest of public confidence in democratic system and rule of law’.
Alleging that Hindi news channels were distorting his statements, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday said they should not air news without understanding issues.
'People from Hindi channels dole out news without understanding the issue. Such channels should discontinue doing this, otherwise we will do what we can to stop this game,' Thackeray declared.
He then joked about how the channels would run 'breaking news' about his 'threat'.
'I am sure these channels will be running 'Breaking News'... 'Raj Thackeray threatens to shut down Hindi news channels,' he said, gesturing wildly with his hands, mocking the news channels.
Speaking about the cases filed against him and the coverage of it in the media, Thackeray claimed that he knew the law. 'Don't issue me threats claiming that you will file (criminal or defamation) cases against me. I know of several laws that are broken every now and then. Should I also go to court and sue those guilty,' he questioned.
Lashing out at Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh's remark that Thackeray's family too came originally from Bihar, he said, 'Digvijay Singh says anything that comes to his mind, however irrelevant. He is someone the Congress keeps, to take the brunt of all criticism.'
Thackeray, in a slapstick manner, retorted to Singh's remark with a question: 'So is Digvijay Singh's family from Sulabh Shauchalay (public toilet)?'
Last week, Thackeray had called Biharis in Maharashtra 'infiltrators' in reaction to reports of a letter from the Bihar chief secretary warning Mumbai Police against picking up suspects from the state without first informing local police. 'How come most offenders are from Bihar,'.
Thackeray asked, adding that there was no need for Bihari politicians to teach Maharashtra the rules. Bringing up the matter of the cinema wing of MNS's threat to disrupt shooting of a television programme featuring Pakistani artistes, Thackeray said he did not favour the inclusion of Pakistani performers.
'I stand by my views. It is wrong to entertain Pakistani artistes when we are not welcome in their country,' he said.
Asha Bhonsle is also a part of the show titled Sur Kshetra. When Bhonsle said that she does not understand politics, and that she considers guests like god, Thackeray rebuked the singer saying he wondered if the real reason she participated in the show was 'Paisa devo bhava' (Money is god).
RAJ THACKERAY VERSUS NORTH INDIANS
- In February 2008, Raj Thackeray led a violent movement against the supposed dominance of migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in Maharashtra and more so in its commercial capital of Mumbai.
- Threatened to ban all Bachchan films unless Jaya apologised in a public forum for allegedly hurting Maharashtrians by choosing to speak in Hindi at a film promotion.
- Raj reproached North Indian leaders for politicising Chhath Puja, a festival popular in Bihar, calling it a ‘drama’ and a ‘show of numerical strength’. He said that Chhath Puja was a political gimmick by some parties to attract North Indian vote. He questioned the motives by citing that the Puja is performed on the banks of a river, not the sea.
- In 2011 auto drivers were assaulted for refusing to take passengers. The sion police arrested 12 Maharashtra Navnirman Wahatuk Sena workers. A senior BJP leader accused the MNS of targetting Biharis.
TV EDITORS ASKS MAHA TO PROTECT MEDIA AFTER MNS ‘THREAT’
The ‘threats’ issued by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray against Hindi news channels were an ‘assault on roots of democracy’, a body of editors of electronic news channels said here on Sunday.
The Broadcast Editors’ Association in a release asked the Maharashtra Government to ensure protection to media personnel in Mumbai against ‘lumpen elements’.
‘We take serious note of threats given by the MNS Chief against Hindi news channels and feel that this is not a threat held out against media but an assault on the roots of democracy,’ it said in a release.
‘Such statements are not acceptable in a democratic society and reveal his contempt for Constitution, rule of law and society,’ the Association said.
The BEA said it does not believe in reacting to ‘such aberrations with an element of vindictiveness’ and demanded that the central and the Maharashtra governments ‘initiate legal action under IPC in larger interest of public confidence in democratic system and rule of law’.
Alleging that Hindi news channels were distorting his statements, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday said they should not air news without understanding issues.
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