Veteran bhajan singer Anup Jalota has expressed sadness over the firing incident involving actor Tiger Shroff and urged Salman Khan to apologise to the Bishnoi community, saying such a step could help end the cycle of threats and violence.
Jalota said the community’s hurt over the blackbuck poaching controversy needed to be addressed and maintained that an apology from Salman was the way forward.
“I am very saddened by this. There is only one way to stop all this. Salman Khan should apologize to the Bishnoi community,” he said.
The singer added that he had expressed the same view earlier and warned that continued resentment could put people associated with Salman, as well as their families, at risk.
“I have said this before. It is very important that the Bishnoi community, which has been hurt, should be apologized to otherwise, the Bishnoi community will continue to be hurt. Those who work with Salman Khan will be hurt, their families will also be hurt,” Jalota said.
He urged Salman to take a firm decision to resolve the issue, adding, “So, why not make a firm decision to apologize to the Bishnoi community to end this all? This is what I want.”
His remarks come after unidentified assailants allegedly opened fire at Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai’s Juhu area on Sunday evening. The actor escaped unhurt, while his driver and a bystander sustained bullet injuries. Both were taken to hospital and were reported to be out of danger.
Subsequently, a social media post and an audio message attributed to individuals claiming links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang surfaced, reportedly claiming responsibility for the firing. The messages also allegedly demanded an apology from Salman and threatened people associated with him.
The longstanding hostility between Salman and Lawrence Bishnoi is linked to the 1998 blackbuck poaching case in Rajasthan. The Bishnoi community regards blackbucks as sacred, and the case has remained a source of resentment. Salman has faced repeated threats, including a firing incident outside his Bandra residence in April 2024.