The Broadcast Editors Association (BEA) on Wednesday said the Maharashtra government's directive to multiplexes across the state to show Marathi films during the prime time slots was illegal and reflected linguistic and regional chauvinism.
"This order is illegal and against the constitutional spirit. It shows linguistic and regional chauvinism," BEA general secretary N K Singh told ANI.
Earlier on Tuesday, Maharashtra Culture Minister Vinod Tawde defended the government's decision saying it had been taken to promote Marathi movies.
"We will talk to Marathi film producers and multiplex owners to decide on two show timings to show Marathi films, out of which they can choose one. Prime time is the time when all the members of the family can come to watch a movie, like the 6 pm to 9 pm slot," Tawde said.
The government is also considering making the screening of a documentary on Dadasaheb Phalke mandatory before every movie.
