BJP leader Harnath Singh Yadav called on actor Salman Khan to apologise for allegedly killing blackbucks in 1998, a case that caused outrage in the Bishnoi community and led to threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
In Short
- Salman Khan accused in 1998 blackbuck poaching case
- Blackbuck sacred to Bishnois, leads to threats from Bishnoi gang
- BJP leader’s appeal comes days after Baba Siddique’s murder
In the wake of escalating threats against actor Salman Khan by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, former BJP MP Harnath Singh Yadav has called on the megastar to apologise to the Bishnoi community for his involvement in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.
In a social media post, Yadav claimed that for years the Bishnoi community has been deeply upset with Khan, and he owes them an apology for hurting their religious sentiments. “People make mistakes. You are a top actor, and a large number of people in the country love you. My good advice is to respect the Bishnoi community’s sentiments and apologise for your big mistake,” the BJP leader tweeted in Hindi.
Khan was accused of hunting and killing two blackbucks during the filming of Hum Saath Saath Hain in Rajasthan in 1998. The blackbuck is sacred to the Bishnoi sect, and the incident caused widespread outrage. Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, a member of the Bishnoi community, swore revenge against the actor after he was convicted in the case in 2018 by a trial court. Salman Khan has appealed against the case, and it is pending before the Rajasthan High Court.
Salman Khan has faced legal battles for over two decades related to the blackbuck poaching case, with several court hearings and public protests over the years. However, things took a turn for the worse when the Lawrence Bishnoi gang started targeting the actor.
Against this backdrop, Yadav reiterated the need for a public apology, saying, “No sensible person should do anything against the sentiments of any religion. Salman Khan is a popular actor with a large following. If someone has done something wrong, they must atone for it.”
The BJP leader’s appeal comes days after NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, a friend of Khan’s, was shot dead in Mumbai, with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claiming responsibility.
However, a source close to the actor told India Today that Salman won’t apologise for something he hasn’t done.
Stating that Salman’s friends and family are concerned about his well-being, the source said, “It is a matter of grave concern for them. It just gets more stressful every time he steps out in public or travels outdoors for his shoots. The family is definitely worried about him. But they are with him and totally support his stand on the matter.”
With the Bishnoi gang now escalating its feud with Salman Khan, the thought of apologising to the Bishnoi community to secure the safety of his aides might have crossed the actor’s mind.
However, with Salman pleading not guilty in the blackbuck case, any apology to the community might compromise his legal position. Thus, the best way out for Salman is increasing his layers of security.
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