Mumbai (PTI): Noted filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has described the Bombay High Court's order restraining MNS chief Raj Thackeray from making provocative speeches and indulging in violence over the issue of Marathi signboards as a triumph of civil society.

"The court directive preventing political outfits and leaders from intimidating civilians are outstanding. It is a victory of civil society," Bhatt told PTI. Bhatt hoped the court's decision will help in restoring civil rule. He said shopowners in Mumbai have never opposed putting up Marathi signboards and they have agreed to abide the law.

"What they are objecting is to violence unleashed on shopowners and being asked by the MNS to have a bigger Marathi font size," he said. Bhatt had attended a press conference called by Federation of Retail Traders' Welfare Association here recently when MNS workers barged into the venue and resorted to slogan shouting.