He said on Saturday that neither the Colors Television Network, the producers of the show, or the Pakistani artists have violated any of India's laws.
He was reacting to the ongoing agitation by Sena workers outside the ABCL studios in Lonavala for the last four days as the two Pakistani artists along with 11 Indians participate in the show being shot there.
Patil said that the Pakistanis have entered the country legally on business visa and thus they are free to perform anywhere in the country. He denied media reports about the show being banned by the government.
Patil further said that the Pune district administration has been directed to provide full security cover to the staff and the contestants at the studio.
In a rebuke to the Sena leadership, and in a tactical political move, Patil said that the Pakistani artists have been granted visas by the federal government, and therefore it would not be fair and justified on the part of the Maharashtra government to ban their participation in the reality show. "In view of the legal aspects, the Pakistani artists are within their prescribed norms and it is our responsibility to ensure their safety and at the same time ensure that there is no law and order problem in and around Lonavala," Patil added.
Additional Collector of Pune, R.K. Gaikwad also denied that the district administration has served any notice on the producers of Colors TV Network. "The civic administration is coordinating with the police in maintaining law and order in Lonavala," Gaikwad said.
Meanwhile, four people, alleged to be Sena workers, on Saturday broke the windscreen of a Toyota Qualis vehicle and beat the personnel of the Big Boss production team. Two technical staff and a waiter, who sustained injuries, were rushed to hospital. Police have identified the miscreants and taking steps to arrest them.
