The "threats" issued by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray against Hindi news channels were an "assault on roots of democracy", a body of editors of electronic news channels said in Delhi on Sunday.

The Broadcast Editors' Association in a release asked the Maharashtra government to ensure protection to media personnel in Mumbai against "lumpen elements".

"We take serious note of threats given by the MNS chief against Hindi news channels and feel that this is not a threat held out against media but an assault on the roots of democracy," it said in a release.

"Such statements are not acceptable in a democratic society and reveal his contempt for Constitution, rule of law and society," the Association said.

The BEA said it does not believe in reacting to "such aberrations with an element of vindictiveness" and demanded that the central and the Maharashtra governments "initiate legal action under IPC in larger interest of public confidence in democratic system and rule of law".

Alleging that Hindi news channels were distorting his statements, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday said they should not air news without understanding issues.

Speaking at a party meeting in Delhi on Sunday, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief said "I want to tell the Hindi news channel to first understand the issue before it is broadcast ...otherwise we know how to deal with it."