Shiv Sena moves privilege motion against Shobha De

MUMBAI: A series of tweets against the Maharashtra government’s decision making it mandatory for theatre and multiplex owners to screen at least one Marathi movie during prime time has earned novelist Shobha De a notice of breach of privilege.

On Wednesday a Shiv Sena MLA, Pratap Sarnaik, filed a notice in the assembly alleging breach of privilege by her as her tweets had allegedly “hurt the sentiments of the Marathi community”. The assembly speaker has not yet decided to admit the motion. Since De in the past has had many run-ins with the Sena, the Mumbai police provided her security on Wednesday.

The latest controversy arose after De on Tuesday tweeted, “Devendra 'Diktatwala' Fadnavis is at it again!!! From beef to movies. This is not the Maharashtra we all love! Nako!Nako! Yeh sab roko!” De further tweeted that the decision amounted to the state government forcing its cultural preferences on citizens. “I love Marathi movies. Let me decide when and where to watch them, Devendra Fadnavis. This is nothing but Dadagiri.”

Speaking to reporters Sarnaik said, “she has insulted Marathi people and those who go to watch Marathi films. She should apologise or I would go ahead with the breach of privilege motion against her.”