After shunting out Pakistani stand-up comedian Shakeel Siddiqui, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is now targeting Pakistani kids who are in the city to participate in a musical show on a private television channel.
MNS members threatened the channel on Monday that they would not tolerate any Pakistani coming to India and participating in any kind of show. MNS Cine Workers' Association president Ameya Khoppkar said, "This step by the channel and the producer of show has shocked people across the country. How can you allow people from Pakistan to come to India after the 26/11 terror attack?''
Most people in the industry were aghast at the party not even leaving kids alone though there were some who agreed with the MNS stand.
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt said, "The Mahatma said we should start with children if we were to teach real peace in this world and if we were to carry on a real war against war. It is heartbreaking to see Chhote Ustad being targeted! Are we now going to use kids in our hate campaign?''
Writer-director Vinta Nanda agreed, "Is India a democracy or a fascist nation? Am sure no one in MNS knows the pain of separation, they have never been displaced or uprooted from their home or had to start their lives afresh. Why can't they allow peace and harmony between the two countries?''