 "MNS chief Raj Thackeray (left) and Bollywood actor Salman Khan.")
Amid the controversy surrounding the inclusion of Pakistani actors in Indian cinema, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday turned the heat on Bollywood actor Salman Khan and threatened to ban his movies if he continued supporting artistes from Islamabad.
"Jawans are fighting for us at borders. What'll happen if they decide to put down their weapons? Who'll guard the borders? Salman Khan? Bollywood? These artistes (Salman Khan) should realise 'Nation first'. If they have so many problems, we will ban their movies too," Thackeray said.
Further escalating his attack on Khan, Thackeray said when Tamil Nadu and Karnataka can stand up for the Cauvery issue, why can't the actors stand for the country.
"It is nothing but business to them. Are we short of artistes? They say art doesn't have boundary. When Tamil Nadu and Karnataka protest over Cauvery water, Tamil artistes came on the road including Rajinikanth. When they can stand for the rights of their states, why can't these artistes stand for the country?" he added.
The MNS chief asserted that it is important to stand united amid such adversities.
"In a country with 1.26 billion population, you can't find talent? You have to borrow it from Pakistan? Who are they? Do they have any respect in their own country?," he added.
Earlier, speaking at an event in Delhi on Friday, Khan had said, "They are artistes, not terrorists. It's the government who gives them work permits and visas. Art and terrorism should not be mixed."
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande said that Salman Khan needs to be taught a lesson for his statement.
"If he has so much love for Pakistani artistes, he should migrate there," she added.
Last week, MNS issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Pakistani artistes and actors, following which Fawad Khan left India on September 27.
