Comedy group AIB member Tanmay Bhat's video, which mocked cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and playback singer Lata Mangeshkar, triggered a debate on a television news channel on Monday during which a BJP spokesperson called ally Shiv Sena a "bunch of jokers."
The video titled "'Sachin vs Lata Civil War" was posted on Snapchat and Facebook on Thursday.
BJP spokesperson Shaina NC was responding to a question whether it was appropriate for party workers – whether from ally Shiv Sena or Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) – to threaten Bhat with physical harm while expressing their outrage over the video.
When it was pointed out to her that workers of the two parties had reportedly said that they would break Bhat's legs for the "derogatory" portrayal of the two personalities in the video, Shaina remarked that they (the workers) would end up as nothing more than a "bunch of jokers."
They are also bunch of jokers if they suggest they can take law & order into their hand: Shaina NC #TanmayRoasted https://t.co/A1As1349YW
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) May 30, 2016
MNS vice president Shalini Thackeray on Monday had "laid siege" at the Mumbai Police demanding Bhat's arrest over the video, while MNS Chitrapat Sena chief Amey Khopkar had threatened to "beat" up Bhat, reported the Hindustan Times.
Her party colleague and MNS Chitrapat Sena chief Amey Khopkar had threatened to "beat" up Bhat wherever he was seen.
Shiv Sena and MNS have already lodged complaints with the Mumbai police seeking action against Tanmay Bhat. However, there was no confirmed report of Shiv Sena threatening the comedian.
The BJP and Shiv Sena are allies both at the Centre and in Maharashtra.
