Amitabh Bachchan Gets Police Protection Following Raj Thackeray Meeting

MUMBAI – Policemen weredeployed outside actorAmitabh Bachchan’s bungalowin Juhu on Saturday followingfears that Samajwadi Party (SP)workers could hold a demonstrationthere after he sharedthe dais with MNS chief RajThackeray recently.”Our personnel have beendeployed as a precautionarymeasure,” said Arun Bhagat,senior inspector of Juhu policestation.State SP chief Abu Azmi hadslammed the Raj-Bachchanbonhomie saying it was an”insult” to north Indians. Azmihad also asked the actor to clarifyhis stand. “The recent developmenthas not gone well withthe SP, which is always at loggerheadswith the MNS overthe issue of north Indians,” saida political observer.In 2008, Raj had lashed out atBachchan for being “anti-Maharashtra”. An MNS workerhad targeted the actor’s bungalowafter which policepersonnel weredeployed. Then theSP’s city unit had supportedBachchansince he was close tosenior leaders of theparty. Things appearto have changed in thelast five years. Lastweek, Bachchan inauguratedthe MNS’sscheme to offer insurance coverto film technicians and artists.At the event the actor made hisopening remarks in Marathi.Raj had praised Bachchan sayingthat he belonged to thenation and not a particularstate.