Shiv Sena spurns Shobhaa De

MUMBAI: While thousands of farmers in drought-hit areas of Maharashtra are struggling due to lack of water, ministers here are busy issuing diktats to multiplexes on screening Marathi films during prime time.And adding to the absurdity of the situation, when prominent author and proud Maharashtrian, Shobhaa De, tweets her criticism

By our correspondents
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April 10, 2015
MUMBAI: While thousands of farmers in drought-hit areas of Maharashtra are struggling due to lack of water, ministers here are busy issuing diktats to multiplexes on screening Marathi films during prime time.
And adding to the absurdity of the situation, when prominent author and proud Maharashtrian, Shobhaa De, tweets her criticism of the state government for trying to force multiplexes to screen Marathi films during primetime, a Shiv Sena legislator moves a breach of privilege motion against her.
Vinod Tawde, a BJP leader from Mumbai—who was an aspirant for the chief minister’s post, but had to reconcile himself to handling the low-key education and culture portfolio—told the state assembly on Tuesday that the government plans to make it compulsory for all multiplex cinemas to screen at least one Marathi film between 6 pm and 9 pm every day.
Shobhaa, in a series of tweets, criticised the government move. “No more popcorn at multiplexes in Mumbai?” she wondered. “Dahi misal and vada pav only. To go better with the Marathi movies at prime time.”
The acerbic author sent another tweet: “Devendra ‘Diktatwala’ Fadnavis is at it again!!! From beef to movies. This is not the Maharashtra we all love! Nako!Nako! Yeh sab roko! I love Marathi movies. Let me decide when and where to watch them, Devendra Fadnavis. This is nothing but Dadagiri.”