.jpg?rect=0%2C0%2C1920%2C1080&auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
The Salman Khan starrer, Tiger Zinda Hai is facing heat in various states in India. Why? Because the Valmiki community has reportedly taken offence to Salman’s alleged use of the word bhangi during an interview. They have staged mass protests and burnt effigies of Salman outside various cinema halls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
The protesters have reportedly vandalised properties and torn posters of the film. According to a report in IANS, the police remanded several people in custody.
In Jaipur, the Valmiki protesters tore posters and film banners at Ankur, Paras and Raj Mandir cinema halls. In Kota, they broke a glass of Akash Mall, that houses a multiplex.
“A few days ago, Salman Khan in an interview used ‘bhangi’ word. Constitutionally also, using this word is an abuse; it has hurt the sentiments of Valmiki community. Today, people of Valmiki community tore the posters of ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ movie at Raj Mandir, Ankur and Paras cinema halls, staged demonstrations and burnt an effigy of Salman Khan”.Jitendra Hatwal Valmiki, a social worker, told Hindustan Times
Jitendra Hatwal Valmiki also added that they want the actor to apologise to the community.
The Valmiki protesters also protested at three halls, under the Bhim Sena outfit and demanded that film screening be stopped. In Udaipur, a group of 150-200 people shouted slogans before submitting a memorandum to Bhupalpura police station, and demanded that a case be lodged against Salman and Shilpa Shetty (also accused of using the same word) under SC/ST Act, and that the actors be arrested.
Responding to this, a distributor for Yash Raj Films asked why a clip from four years ago has led to these protests “now”.
“Protests were held by the Valmiki community at different places in the state outside cinema halls, but movie watchers were not affected. Police are providing protection. Salman Khan had used the word in an interview some four years ago and many of his movies got released during this period; then why this protest now?”Raj Bansal, distributor of Yash Raj Films in Jaipur
The protests also spread to Agra where a mob of members of the Valmiki community, including Agra municipal corporation's sanitation workers seized a Municipal truck and attacked a film theatre in the city screening Salman Khan's film, Tiger Zinda Hai. Two accused were arrested, based on the complaint of the theatre manager.
Hindustani Biradari Vice-President Vishal Sharma on the other hand demanded a ban on social organisations branding themselves 'Sena' since the word evokes a militant ideology.
An FIR was also lodged against Khan and Kundra on Saturday at Andheri Police station by Navin Ramchandra Lade, General Secretary of Rojgar Aghari Republican Party of India.
“We highly condemn Salman Khan and Shilpa Shetty for using such words that show us in bad light. We have filed a complaint and will hold a protest in front of Galaxy Apartment, Salman’s house today. According to law, he has to serve an imprisonment of five years. No one is above the law, whether a normal public or a celebrity. And talking of his fans, only the elite people did not make him ‘Salman Khan the Star’, even Dalit people like us also watch his films. Who will support a man who is so disrespectful towards his fans? We are hurt.”Vice President of Rojgar Aghari Republican Party of India, Kishore Masoom
Tiger Zinda Hai has previously run into trouble with the MNS and the Shiv Sena, when they demanded equal screens at cinema halls for Marathi film, Deva.
(With inputs from IANS and Hindustan Times and India Today)
(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT in partnership with #MyRightToBreathe to find a solution to pollution. Send in your suggestions to fit@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)