Shiv Sena seeks apology from Salman Khan for ”rape” remarks

Lambasting Salman Khan for his remark that he felt like a “raped woman” after a gruelling shoot of an upcoming film, the Shiv Sena on Wednesday urged directors respecting women to boycott the Bollywood superstar till he tenders an “unconditional apology” for his comment.

“I have not seen a celebrity who can get more shameless than Salman Khan. He has a destructive nature from the beginning. He shoots endangered animals, kills people living on footpaths and now this (remark on rape). People still, ironically, consider him a hero,” Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande told PTI.

Salman had landed himself in a controversy for his remark that he felt like a “raped woman” after one gruelling shoot for his upcoming wrestling-themed film ‘Sultan’, sparking demands for an apology from the actor.

Reacting on his son’s behalf, Salman’s father Salim Khan had said,”Undoubtedly what Salman said is wrong, the simili (sic), example and the context. The intention was not wrong.” [sic]

Kayande said it is shameful that “a 50-year-old man cannot own up to his words and his 80-year-old father has to come to his rescue.”

“There are certain political parties that are taking his side. But they should introspect. On Wednesday, even the entire film industry is silent over the issue which usually goes hammer and tongs over issues not relevant to them,” she said.

According to the Sena spokesperson, Salman has to tender an unconditional apology for his rape remarks “because people are furious with him”.

“All directors respecting women should boycott him until he apologises for his remarks. Even people should stop watching his films,” Kayande added.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken Suo Motu cognisance of the “insensitive” remark by Salman and shot off a letter to him asking for his explanation in the next seven days failing which he will be summoned.

Meanwhile, Khan’s statement generated mixed reactions from the opposition on parties in Maharashtra, with Congress saying that the matter should not be raked up further.

“Salman Khan does not apply his mind while speaking in enthusiasm and keeps making wrong statements. This comment of his is akin to disrespecting women. But since his father, who is a respected figure, has apologised, this matter should not be raked up further,” Congress MP Hussain Dalwai said.

Meanwhile, NCP legislator Kiran Pawaskar said politicians, who use star power to shore up their electoral prospects, should now wake up and stop doing so.

“People have not forgotten Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s kite flying drama with Salman Khan. Nor have they forgotten that this is the same person who was sitting in the front row when Modiji took oath as the Prime Minister,” Pawaskar claimed.

“On one hand he (Modi) speaks of ‘Swachh Bharat’ and on the other entertains people like him (Salman) who take the country 10 steps back?” the MLC said.

“If politicians, who use people like him to shore up their electoral prospects now wake up, such people, who are a menace to the society will know where they really stand when nobody remains interested in them,” Pawaskar added.

Inputs from PTI

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