Spewing venom

This is bizarre. And what8217;s even more bizarre, it8217;s true. Yes, the Shiv Sena has actually threatened to let loose snakes in the movie theatres where the film, Kaante, is scheduled to be released soon. Bal Thackeray8217;s men have been loud in recent days in venting ire against the multi-starrer 8212; the film, they claim, is financed by people who have connections with the underworld. Now they have decided to summon all the venom they can command to drive their point home.

So as the Shiv Sena belts out this spectacularly kinky threat, as it readies itself, and the snakes, how must we react? Should we just ignore the Sena? The question really is, do we have the option to do so? The answer to that last question is, tragically, no. Over the years, the Shiv Sena has demonstrated a rare talent for making a nuisance of itself. It has caused enough trouble for the rest of us to be wary of simply turning our back to its outrageous histrionics. Remember the vandalised Feroze Shah Kotla cricket pitch, where India was to play Pakistan? Remember the setting afire of cinema halls that screened Deepa Mehta8217;s Fire? Thackeray8217;s goons have shown on more than one occasion that they can do violence to more than just the finer sensibilities. There is yet another, even more worrisome, reason why it may be difficult to dismiss the Sena8217;s shenanigans: the outfit is a key constituent of the BJP-led ruling alliance at the Centre. Just recently, Thackeray demonstrated his clout in the NDA government by unceremoniously replacing one sainik with another in the crucial power ministry. Poor Suresh Prabhu had to hotfoot it back to Mumbai to 8216;serve the party8217;, because Balasaheb said so, prime ministerial prerogative be damned.

This is not about the dreadful nexus the underworld has forged with our film industry. This is not about the serious issues that were most recently highlighted by the unspooling of the Sanjay Dutt tapes, the graphic images of terror and collusion that they drew before the nation. No, the Shiv Sena8217;s threat-making cannot be conceded the respectability of an issue. It reeks of force, intolerance and blackmail. The law and order machinery must tackle the goons when they descend on the theatres. More importantly, the BJP needs to confront their handlers.