Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) on Wednesday, 4 November launched a sharp attack on the Centre and the Maharashtra government, using images of megastar Amitabh Bachchan greeting fans from behind a bulletproof glass enclosure at his Juhu bungalow, Jalsa, as a flashpoint to allege a sweeping collapse of law and order under the current administration. The party's mouthpiece, Saamana, carried a strongly worded editorial calling for the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Amitabh Bachchan Trigger

The 84-year-old cinematic icon — who holds no known political affiliations and has no political adversaries of note — was reportedly compelled to greet his weekly gathering of fans outside Jalsa from behind bulletproof glass following a threat perception. The Saamana editorial described Bachchan as 'a national treasure' and argued that the need for such precautions for a cultural figure of his stature underscores how dangerously public safety has eroded.

Extortion Threats and Firing Incidents Cited

Beyond Bachchan's case, the editorial pointed to two other recent incidents as evidence of a broader breakdown. First, there was a firing incident reported near actor Tiger Shroff's vehicle. Second, bullion merchants in Nagpur reportedly received extortion demands. The Uddhav Thackeray camp questioned why high-profile film personalities, business tycoons, and ordinary citizens appear to be living under constant threat.

Lawrence Bishnoi Network and the 'Invisible Security Blanket' Allegation

The editorial singled out the Lawrence Bishnoi criminal network, alleging it continues to operate with apparent impunity. Crucially, the Thackeray camp alleged that a Home Ministry directive bars state police forces from taking Bishnoi into custody from Gujarat's Sabarmati Jail — effectively, critics argued, providing the jailed gangster what the editorial called an 'invisible security blanket.' This is a pointed allegation that connects federal policy to the perceived failure of Maharashtra law enforcement.

Attack on the Ruling Leadership

Mocking the government's political rallies conducted under heavy police cover, the editorial contended that an administration incapable of protecting its most prominent citizens and dismantling basic criminal networks has forfeited its moral authority. 'While the ruling leadership stages high-profile rallies under heavy police protection, ordinary citizens, builders, and film icons live in constant terror. How many citizens can the state furnish with specialised defence shields?' the editorial asked. The piece concluded by drawing a stark contrast between the government's claims of political dominance and its alleged failure to guarantee basic physical safety for prominent public figures and business owners across Maharashtra.

Political Context

This comes amid an already fractured political landscape in Maharashtra, where the Mahayuti alliance led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Maha Vikas Aghadi opposition — of which Shiv Sena (UBT) is a part — remain in a sustained confrontation. The Saamana editorial is not the first time the Thackeray camp has used the law-and-order issue as a political lever; similar attacks followed the Salman Khan residence firing incident earlier this year. The escalation of such rhetoric around high-profile targets suggests the opposition intends to keep security failures at the centre of its narrative ahead of forthcoming political contests.