Hindu rightwing groups to prevent MNIK's release in Gujarat

Gandhinagar, Feb 11 (IANS) The Bajrang Dal and the Mahagujarat Janata Party(MJP), a breakaway group of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Thursday announced they would protest, and even prevent the release of Shah Rukh Khan starrer "My name Is Khan" in Gujarat.

Bajrang Dal activists, who burned effigies of Shah Rukh, have even asked multiplex owners to desist from exhibiting the film. Bajrang Dal leader Ranchhod Bharwad said that his organisation would go all out to scuttle the release of the film in the country.

"The script of the movie is a conspiracy against the Hindus," he alleged.

Sunil Oza, a top leader of the MJP, said his outfit's youth wing, the Mahagujarat Suraksha Sena, would spearhead the move to prevent the showing of the film in the state.

"We will hold demonstrations at halls exhibiting the film and also present a memorandum to the district collector at all district headquarters," he added.

Oza said their party has also urged Chief Minister Narendra Modi to stop the exhibition of the film in the state.

Ashok Purohit, who heads the state multiplex exhibitors association, admitted that he had received a request against showing the film but refused to identify the source of the request.

He said that his organisation had, in turn, pointed out that the role of a filmstar is over once the film is complete. "There are many others involved in the making of the film and it is a huge amount of money that rides on a film. It would not be proper to put all of them to loss," he said, adding they had requested those who urged them against showing the film to consider this aspect.

For the moment it seems the exhibitors plan to go ahead with the release of the film.

The MJP had last year protested against the release of Mahesh Bhatt's "Tum Mile" following the controversy regarding his son's acquaintance with US terror accused David Headley. The Bajrang Dal did not allow the film "Parzania" made on a 2002 riot victim, the son of a Parsi couple to be screened while Aamir Khan starter "Fanaa" too was stopped from screening after he spoke in favour of Medha Patkar.

Gujarat Director General of Police S.S.Khandwawala said police was aware of the developments."If film exhibitors approach us for help, all police protection would be provided," he added.

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My Name is Khan