Top politicians stand by Shah Rukh

Stating that nobody would be allowed to disrupt the release of superstar Shah Rukh Khan's "My Name Is Khan", Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Monday dared the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to stop its screening, saying he will watch the movie with his family.

"Nobody can take the law into their hands. We will take action if somebody is issuing such threats. The law will take its course, let them say whatever they want," Chavan told reporters in New Delhi.

"I will also go to see the movie along with my family members," he said.

The VHP's threat came a day after Bal Thackeray's Shiv Sena decided not to oppose the release of "My Name Is Khan".

"People of India must boycott 'My Name Is Khan' as Shah Rukh Khan is a traitor. He is a Pakistani agent," VHP leader Pravin Togadia said.

He threatened that posters of the film would be torn down.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Shah Rukh got support from union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

Answering queries from the media in Kolkata on the issue, Mukherjee said nobody can tamper with anybody's freedom of speech and expression, which was a fundamental right in India.

"Freedom of speech and expression in any form is a fundamental right. In India, fundamental right is guaranteed by the constitution. Nobody can tamper with it," Mukherjee said.

"My Name Is Khan", starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, is set for release Friday.

Indo-Asian News Service