Mumbai: Veteran writer Salim Khan’s recent interview claiming that his son, actor Salman Khan, is not guilty in the blackbuck poaching case has angered members of Bishnoi community.
Expressing displeasure over his statement, the members of the community took to streets and set fire to effigies of both Salim Khan and Salman Khan in Jodhpur.
During the Bishnoi Dharma Sthapana Diwas, which was observed on Saturday, the Bishnoi protestors demanded an apology from Salman Khan for killing their sacred animal and refusing to accept his crime.
The Bishnoi community members also issued a statement: “We are Bishnois, we do not defame anyone just like that. When the case was registered 26 years ago, many dignitaries including the then MLA of the Bishnoi community were present. Salim Khan cannot mislead people by giving false statements. The entire community was hurt by Salim Khan’s statement. We will make all-out efforts to ensure justice was delivered in the Blackbuck case. We will also protest by taking to the streets.”
“The case, registered 26 years ago, included the presence of respected figures, such as the then-MLA from our community. Salim Khan’s misleading remarks deeply hurt our community, and we are determined to pursue justice in the blackbuck case, even through public protests if necessary.”
The protesters further stated that Lawrence Bishnoi is a member of their community and they stand by him. If Salman fails to repent and seek apology for hunting down their sacred animal, then the Bishnoi community will intensify their agitation against him.
Amid the ongoing threats, Salim Khan had told ABP live that Salman won’t apologise to anyone for a crime he hasn’t committed.
Salman is not fond of hunting animals and he wasn’t present in the car when the blackbuck was gunned down in Rajasthan in 1998, he said.
The veteran also alleged that the threats are a case of extortion and have nothing to do with the blackbuck poaching case.
