Indian Hindu radical party attacks Mumbai theaters amid quarrel with movie star

The Hindu radical terrorist party Shiv Sena Tuesday attacked two theaters here that will screen star actor Shah Rukh Khan's new movie "My Name is Khan," amid a war of words between them over the latter's support to Pakistani participation in cricket tournament in India.

Shiv Sena workers attacked and damaged the booking windows of the Mehul Theater in western suburb of Mulund. Another group of party workers targeted the Shreyas theater in Ghatkopar.

Groups of Sena activists were also seen protesting and shouting slogans in Kanjurmarg, Bandra, Khar and other parts of the city, after police promised tough measures to prevent any untoward incident during the release of the film directed by Karan Johan and also starring superstar actress Kajol.

As many as 12 Sena activists were arrested from Mulund, and 24 were detained in Ghatkopar and Kanjurmarg in connection with the protests.

Earlier in the afternoon, director Karan Johar had called on Police Commissioner D. Shivanandhan and returned satisfied by the police security promised for the movie.

Joint Police Commissioner (Law and Order) Himanshu Roy said anybody attempting to disrupt the film in any manner would be dealt with "very firmly".

"We shall also frisk and search suspicious persons coming to view the movie to prevent any untoward incidents inside the cinema auditorium," Roy said at a news conference.

The Sena violence came a few days after the party had unofficially dissociated itself from banning the movie release in the city.

Shah Rukh Khan has refused to apologize for saying that Pakistani cricketers should have been included in the Indian Premier League tournament but he has also sought to close the issue with the Sena.

"I very, very clearly want to say there is no reason to apologize, it's just a big fuss. I think it would be nice if everything went off peacefully without anyone having to lose their self respect or the ideology for that matter," he said.