Noted Bhojpuri singer and Bollywood actor Manoj Tiwari on Monday said that he would prefer to sacrifice his life to safeguard the interests of Biharis and North Indians living in Mumbai than yielding to pressure of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray.
Denying reports that he had 'surrendered' before Bal Thackeray asking North Indians to leave Mumbai, Tiwari said, "I am the first artist who openly opposed the attacks on Biharis and other North Indians in Mumbai."
He hailed Amitabh Bachan's comment on the issue on Sunday in which the megastar had said Raj Thackeray's charges did not deserve much attention.
On the statement of Shatrughan Sinha and others in favour of Bal Thackeray published in Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna, Tiwari said they should clarify their positions in public.
Due to the anti-Bihari stance, Bhojpuri film industry has suffered a lot. Against a business of more than Rs 1.5 crore per film, Bhojpuri films were doing a business of only Rs 10 to Rs 15 lakh a film in Maharashtra, he said.
Holding 'political statements' responsible for the flared tempers in Mumbai, he asked political leaders, including Lalu Prasad to maintain restrain.
Tiwari said, North Indians particularly Biharis were not weak and were able to give a befitting reply to those trying to oust them from Mumbai.
"The North Indians are peace loving people and believe in maintaining the unity and integrity of the country," Tiwari said.
Demanding action against the MNS, Shiv Sena and their supporters, Tiwari said India is a federal country and people have the right to settle in any part of the country.
