(Image source from: Shiv Sena protests outside Shobha De's home?})

A group of Shiv Sena workers and supporters gathered outside novelist Shobha De's building to protest against her remarks on state government's decision to make it mandatory for all theatres and multiplex owners to screen a Marathi movie during prime time.

The protesters, around a hundred, gathered near De's Cuffe Parade residence and shouted slogans. Carrying saffron flags in their hands, they presented vada-pav and Dahi to the building watchman.

"The situation is under control. An assistant commissioner of police and cops are there to handle the protest. I will be able to tell you everything in an hour," deputy police commissioner Ravindra Shisve said.

The novelist tweeted, "Devendra 'Diktatwala' Fadnavis is at it again!!!From beef to movies. This is not the Maharashtra we all love. Nako! Nako! Yeh sab roko."

"Police barricades are up! I am feeling perfectly calm and safe! Thank you, Mumbai Police," Shobha De said in a tweet.

Later, speaking to reporters she said, "I am not worried."

Shobhaa De, however, sought a statement from Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on the protests.

In a vitriolic attack against Shobha De for opposing mandatory screening of Marathi films, Shiv Sena on Thursday said had Bal Thackeray not done "dadagiri" to preserve Marathi culture, her forefathers would "have been born in Pakistan" and she would have "attended Page-3 parties in a burqa".

De, reacting to Maharshtra government's controversial move to make it mandatory for multiplexes to screen Marathi films in the prime time slot, had earlier tweeted: "I love Marathi movies. Let me decide when and where to watch them, Devendra Fadnavis. This is nothing but Dadagiri."

The ruling alliance partner had on Wednesday sought to move a breach of privilege motion against the well-known novelist, taking objection to her tweet on Maharashtra government's decision

- Manohar. M