Thackeray warns Jaya not to provoke Maharashtrians

Pune, Sept. 9 : In a sharp reaction to Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan's controversial remarks on Marathi, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today asked her not to provoke Maharashtrians.

Thackeray in an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamna said, "Jaya Bachchan has been making controversial statements that have vitiated the atmosphere leading to discord. am once again appealing to these people that do not provoke us unnecessarily."

"If you rub us the wrong way and try to test our response, you will be on the run," he added.

Meanwhile, Jaya has apologized for her alleged "anti-Marathi" remarks at a recent film function in Mumbai, saying that she didn't intend to hurt the people of Maharashtra.

According to reports, Jaya has said in an interview to a newspaper that she was sorry if she has hurt the people of Maharashtra. She, however, clarified that she was misunderstood and that her comments were actually hinted at those Bollywood actors who despite working in Hindi films prefer to talk in English during interviews.

She has also said that she can never insult Mumbai or the people of Mumbai because the city 'has given her everything'.

Earlier, MNS party workers in Mumbai tore down posters of Amitabh Bachchan's "The Last Lear," a film slated for release on Friday.

ANI