Bandra Muslims to defend SRK, Mannat from Sena

Muslims from Bandra have come out in Shahrukh Khan's support after the actor drew flak from the Shiv Sena for his comment on the non-inclusion of Pakistani players in the IPL.

The 700-member strong Bandra Muslim association, whose membership includes maulanas, political leaders and Muslim youth from Bandra, held a meeting last night and decided to express their support for the star and oppose the Sena's stand. They have also decided to guard the actor's residence, Mannat.

'Stern action required'

Farooq Ghosi, president of the association, said, "Shahrukh and Aamir belong to the Bandra area and they are being targeted because they are Muslim actors. We have been noticing the statements made by the Sena leaders in the last few days and we won't allow this to continue. The government should take stern action and arrest Uddhav or we will come out on the streets. We will guard the homes of these actors and if Sena protestors come to their residence, our youth will protest. We will answer the Sena people using their own methods."

When asked whether this would create further law and order problems, he said, "Shiv Sena has already created the controversy. We are just trying to help the actors as saving the people of Bandra is our responsibility. We are not the actors' followers but we won't allow the Sena to target them unfairly." The association will hold a press conference at the Press Club this afternoon.

Shah Rukh Khan, who is in New York for My Name is Khan's promotion, said he did not regret any of his comments -- be it about the Pakistani cricketers or about Mumbai belonging to all Indians. He said that he was proud to be an Indian and described the Sena's attitude as 'unhealthy' and 'undemocratic'.