The
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Thursday issued a warning to popular comedian-turned-actor
Kapil Sharma against calling Mumbai as 'Bombay' or "Bambai" on his show, The Great Indian Kapil Show. He warned him, saying that if the practice continued, it would lead to a "strong agitation."
MNS leader Ameya Khopkar, who heads the party's film wing, gave the warning to Kapil while speaking to the media here.
This happened a day after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief
Uddhav Thackeray visited the house of his cousin and MNS president
Raj Thackeray in Mumbai, sparking talks of a possible alliance between the two parties before the local body elections.
Khopkar said, "The name of this city is Mumbai. On Kapil Sharma's show, since long we have seen and even before this new season started, that the city is always referred to as Bombay or Bambai. We oppose this. It's not an objection, it's anger. The name of this city is Mumbai. If you can address other cities by their proper names like Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, why insult our city?" "You (Sharma) have been working in Mumbai for so many years...Mumbai has been your 'karmabhoomi' (land of work). The people of Mumbai like you and watch your shows. Mumbai is in our hearts, don't insult this city, don't insult the people of Mumbai...I am warning Kapil Sharma," he said.
"I request you that if this has happened by mistake, then correct the mistake...Whoever comes on your show, whether they are celebrities or the anchor, tell them first that they must not call Mumbai as Bombay or Bambai. They must say Mumbai. If this does not happen, then the MNS will launch a strong agitation," Khopkar warned.
Kapil Sharma is currently hosting The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix, whose third season began streaming on June 21.
When asked whether the MNS was raking up the issue in view of the upcoming local bodies polls, Khopkar Said, "We have been agitating on this issue for the past many years. Keep elections aside, the name of this city is Mumbai. You will have to say Mumbai. And those who do not call it so, will have to face our anger."
Inputs from PTI