Mumbai:
With their protest stamped out, the Shiv Sena has now got its way by turning bully.
Reality TV show Bigg Boss 4 has been blocked out in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai following a diktat from Bal Thackeray to cable operators to tune off the Colors channel.
Shiv Sena controls a chunk of the cable operators in the region, and is opposed to the participation of two Pakistani nationals, Veena Malik and Nawazish Ali, in the show.
"We have nothing against the channel, but Balasaheb has made a request in the national interest, and so we shut the channel out," said Ganesh Naidu, President, Cable Operators Distributors' Association.
The real reason behind cable operators giving in to the demands of the Sena is fear - fear of being beaten up, fear of their offices being vandalised.
Mumbaikars are now asking questions: Why should anyone decide what they should watch or what they shouldn't? And why is the government remaining a mute spectator?
"We should have the freedom of speech and expression, no matter which country one is from," said a Mumbai resident.
"India or Pakistan, I am not bothered. I just want to watch Bigg Boss," said another.
The government has assured police action against the Sena cultural vigilantism, but for now the Tiger's roar has shut the show out.