The five year sentence for Salman Khan in the blackbuck case delivered in the Jodhpur rural court by Chief Judicial Magistrate, Dev Kumar Khatri, has reinstated the faith of the Indian public in the law of the land. Not too long ago, he was let off by the Mumbai High Court in the hit and run case. Controversies surrounding the actor have never ceased to exist. Whether it is threatening an actor from the film fraternity or the allegations of physical assault on a female co-star/girlfriend, Salman has done it all. There are no doubts regarding the help he has extended towards the disadvantaged people through his charity organisation ‘Being Human’. Were these charities done just to arouse public sympathy or helping the needy was the primary concern? While nobody can refute the claims of charity, the reaction of his fans and co-workers is reason enough to create a suspicion amongst the public regarding his motives.
Social media and news room debates started all over the country as soon as the verdict of the court came out. The news was already being discussed at all the leading platforms since the start of the day. His every movement was tracked and flashed as breaking news. Photos of him entering the court premises, his sisters arriving before him kept flashing on television screens throughout the day. The other accused stars who accompanied him to the courtroom also made headlines. The predictions regarding the sentencing kept on coming throughout the day. Salman’s fan base kept asserting why he should not be jailed, some expressed their belief in the judiciary while others waited to get hold of the final verdict before deciding for themselves whether the judiciary had acted in a fair and impartial manner or not.
The verdict came out and it broke the hearts of many fans. Five year term had been slapped on the ‘bhai’ of Bollywood. Some ‘eminent personalities’ termed the sentence too harsh for the most “big hearted” individual they have ever met. The minority card was also played. The surname “khan” had made Salman lose the case, it was argued. Even the central government was not let off with fans accusing BJP of plotting against a ‘Superstar’ from ‘minority community’.
Salman is NOT GUILTY. But academically talking how can you jail a human being for killing any animal? Yes we must protect animals specially a rare species but if found guilty put a huge money fine which becomes a big deterrent to kill them. @BeingSalmanKhan
— Priya Gupta (@priyagupta999) April 6, 2018
As usual, banking on the absurdities of Indian intelligentsia, Pakistan wasn’t far behind in claiming the sentencing on the blackbuck case had communal angle. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister made the claim that Salman has been jailed because he is a Muslim.
Pakistan foreign minister Khawaja Asif slams #SalmanKhan's conviction. Listen in to what he said.#BlackBuckPoachingCase#ITVideo
More Videos: https://t.co/NounxnP7mg pic.twitter.com/bedYHmZJ2t— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) April 6, 2018
Some went so far as to question the law of the land and validity of the court verdict.
5 years jail for Salman Khan in black buck poaching case; 5 years earlier in hit and run case in which one person killed, 5 injured; not sure how the law works here.. shouldn't quantum of punishment fit the nature of crime? #SalmanVerdict
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) April 5, 2018
What we need to understand here is that the decision was given by the CJM of the Jodhpur rural court on the basis of facts and evidences presented before him. The absurdity of the supposed ‘minority card’ is laughable in this situation because of 2 primary reasons. Tabu and Saif Ali Khan were two amongst the 5 accused, and they too belong to the same religion as Salman. If the eminent judge had a hidden agenda, he could have easily dragged them along with Salman. Secondly, the same government was in the center when Salman was acquitted on the hit and run case by the Mumbai high court in 2015. If the central government really had any authority over the functioning of the court, it could have easily resulted in Salman being jailed back then.
Another point raised by the ‘intelligentsia’ is, why Salman should be jailed when he has helped people through his charitable work. This laughable claim can be used to sanctify the acts of many thieves and miscreants around the world. The answer in both the cases is quite simple, you get punished when you break the law and rewarded when you do good work.
https://twitter.com/suyyashrai/status/981827257042796544
The hunting of blackbuck was prohibited under Schedule I of The Wildlife Protection Act 1972, at the time when Salman Khan killed them. He also hurt the sentiments of the Bishnoi community who consider blackbuck animals as family members.
CJM Khatri summed up beautifully the need to punish Salman for his crimes,”Khan is a film star whose actions are followed by the common man and still he shot two innocent and mute Blackbuck”. These comments by the CJM should be enough to shut those fans up who still believe in the innocence of their beloved star.
