For Thackeray, the targeting of Prasad comes conveniently fast upon his “acceptance” of an apology from Amitabh Bachchan for wife Jaya’s reference to her Uttar Pradesh connections. Bachchan alone can say what compelled him to articulate his affection for Mumbai in terms that Thackeray would construe as an apology, instead of as a counter-vision of Mumbai’s traditional inclusiveness of identities and ideas. This may not be a full explanation for Bachchan’s personal choices, but it is true that members of civil society are intimidated against making individual noises of defiance when the state refuses to take cognisance of the outright flouting of laws. Thackeray has menaced not just sundry film actors. He has disrupted small businesses and normal life, each time in a manner that violates the law of the land. And each time, he has done so to be allowed to roam free to voice yet again his contrived politics of identity.

The silence of Maharashtra’s politicians conveys two things. One, that they are loath to counter Thackeray for fear of alienating a possibly chauvinistic vote. Two, that they are letting Thackeray ignite divisions in the hope that the vote will split up to their advantage. As for the Maharashtra government, whether it is acting upon these concerns is immaterial. Because ultimately it is failing to meet its administrative responsibilities.