In a recent development, prominent farmer leader Rakesh Tikait has called on Bollywood star Salman Khan to apologize to jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi for the 1998 blackbuck poaching incident. Tikait’s comments have stirred conversations as they come just days after former Maharashtra Minister Baba Siddique was assassinated in an alleged gang-related attack by shooters associated with Bishnoi.
“This is a matter deeply connected with the Bishnoi community,” Tikait stated, urging Khan to seek forgiveness in a Bishnoi temple as a gesture of respect. “He should apologize; otherwise, you never know when someone might act,” Tikait added, alluding to the unpredictable nature of the jailed Bishnoi’s influence.
The long-standing animosity between Salman Khan and Lawrence Bishnoi dates back to Khan’s alleged involvement in the killing of a blackbuck, an animal revered by the Bishnoi community. Although Khan has consistently denied any wrongdoing, the Bishnoi family has reportedly held a grudge over the incident. According to Ramesh Bishnoi, a relative of Lawrence Bishnoi, Khan had even offered a blank cheque as an attempt to resolve the matter, but the family declined, stating it was a matter of respect and principles, not money.
Tikait suggested that a formal apology from Khan could go a long way in diffusing tensions. “Visiting a Bishnoi temple and apologizing publicly would show respect for their values and prevent potential conflict,” Tikait advised, while also warning that Lawrence Bishnoi is “not to be taken lightly.”
The atmosphere around the Bishnoi gang has intensified in recent days following the October 12 assassination of former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique in Mumbai. Siddique, well-known in Maharashtra politics, was killed in a targeted attack that police have linked to Bishnoi’s criminal network. The shooting occurred near the office of Siddique’s son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique, and has led to 15 arrests as Mumbai Police continues to investigate the gang’s motives and activities in the city.
As the investigation into Siddique’s murder continues, Rakesh Tikait’s statement has sparked fresh debates on whether a public apology could help mitigate tensions, or whether it would set a concerning precedent for interactions with criminal elements.
