The president of the All India Bishnoi Society, Devendra Budiya, has demanded an apology from Salman Khan in connection with the blackbuck case.
Salman Khan has been in the news since the firing incident outside his home last month. Days after Salman Khan’s ex-girlfriend Somy Ali issued a public apology on his behalf, the head of the Bishnoi community reacted to it and issued an official statement.
Devendra Budiya was quoted as saying in Hindi, “If Salman himself apologises, the Bishnoi society will consider the apology as the mistake was not made by Somy Ali, but by Salman. No one else can apologise on his behalf. If he himself comes to the temple and seeks forgiveness, our samaj (community) could think about forgiving him because one of our 29 rules is forgiveness. Salman should further take an oath that he will never make such a mistake and will work to protect wildlife and the environment, then we can consider a decision to forgive him.”
About blackbuck case
During the shooting of Sooraj Barjatya’s 1999 film ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’, Salman had reportedly hunted a blackbuck at Bawad in Mathania near Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He and co-stars Tabu, Sonali Bendre, and Neelam were booked in 1998. Further, Salman was also sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment in 2018, but was granted bail.
In a recent interview with the media, Somy Ali expressed concern for Salman’s safety following the firing incident on April 14. “I don’t support hunting as a sport but this event took place so many years ago. Salman was much younger in 1998. I want to request the head of the Bishnoi tribe to forget about it and move on. I apologise on his behalf (Salman) if he has made a mistake and please forgive him.”
Somy added that taking someone’s life was not acceptable. However, the community should approach the court if it wants justice. She added that she has full faith in India’s judicial system and lawyers. She appealed to the Bishnoi community that harming Salman Khan would not bring back the blackbuck.
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