Compulsory screening of Marathi films: Maha legislature issues notice to Shobhaa De over tweets

Mumbai: Maharashtra Legislature Principal Secretary has issued a notice to writer Shobhaa De asking her to explain her tweets about the state government’s decision to make it mandatory for multiplexes to screen Marathi movies during prime time. “I have sent her the notice on behalf of the Speaker asking her to explain her stance in a week,” Legislature Principal Secretary Anant Kalse told PTI here today. [caption id=“attachment_2193633” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Shobhaa De in a file photo. AFP[/caption] The notice was issued two days ago, he said, adding, it has been admitted and De has been asked to submit her explanation. During the Budget session which concluded on Friday Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik had filed a notice of breach of privilege against De after she tweeted on the government’s decision. The novelist 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 tweeted that it was nothing but hooliganism. “I love Marathi movies. Let me decide when and where to watch them, Devendra Fadnavis. This is nothing but Dadagiri.” Reacting to the tweet, Sarnaik filed a breach of privilege against De for “insulting CM Devendra Fadnavis and the sentiments of the Marathi speaking people.” Reacting to the Breach of Privilege De tweeted, “Now a privilege motion demanding an apology from me? Come on! I am a proud Maharashtrian and love Marathi films. Always have. Always will !” Irked, Sena workers last week protested outside De’s house in South Mumbai against her remarks. PTI