In a direct attack against Shobha De for opposing mandatory screening of Marathi films, Shiv Sena on Thursday said had Bal Thackeray not done “dadagiri” to preserve Marathi culture, her forefathers would “have been born in Pakistan” and she would have “attended Page 3 parties in a burqa.”

Ms. De, reacting to Maharashtra government’s controversial move to make it mandatory for multiplexes to screen Marathi films in the prime time slot, had earlier tweeted: “I love Marathi movies. Let me decide when and where to watch them, Devendra Fadnavis. This is nothing but Dadagiri.”

The ruling alliance partner had yesterday sought to move a breach of privilege motion against the well-known novelist, taking objection to her tweet on Maharashtra government’s decision. “You have done great service to the Marathi land in which you were born. It is unfortunate for Maharashtra that such comments came from a Marathi woman,” an editorial in Sena mouthpiece .

“The comments that Shobha has made on Marathi culture and food amount to insulting the Marathi people. She has even insulted our culture,” the Sena said. When asked about the editorial’s reference to Pakistan, the party clarified that the comments were made only to highlight the fight of Shivaji and Bal Thackeray “against the injustice” meted out to Marathi people.

Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik, raising point of propriety in the state Legislative Assembly, had yesterday said that De had hurt the sentiments of the House and sought to move breach of privilege motion against her.

He said that in her tweet, Ms. De remarked that popcorns will now be replaced by (Marathi delicacies) ‘dahi misal’ and ‘vada pav’ in multiplexes.

- Manohar