It was a misty night of October 1998, in Jodhpur. A motley bunch of actors had just packed up post the grueling shooting of the Sooraj Bharjatiya film, 'Hum Saath Saath Hain'. It must have been the saccharine content that is so quintessential of any Bharjatya film that got the actors desperately in need for a thrill. Salman Khan, the wildest of the lot, decided on going hunting with his co-stars including Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu, Neelam Kothari and Satish Shah. It was an ideal evening to be lost in the woods, with a purpose. A jeep equipped to tread the rough terrain of the jungles took the stars through the wilderness.
After long hours of anticipation, well into the night, two shots were fired, almost instantly upsetting the calm of the forest. The gunshots might've alerted the other helpless animals to run for cover, but what it also did, was alarm the villagers residing close by. The Bishnoi villagers, who were known for their animal conservation efforts and considered the wildlife sacred, saw Salman and the dying blackbucks. Seeing the numerous torch lights approaching, the stars panicked and fled, leaving the blackbucks
behind. However the villagers had recognized Salman and noted the number of their
vehicle. 'Salman Khan shot two blackbucks in the obscure interiors of Jodhpur district' suggested the various news reports, further insinuating that 'the actors had plans of eating the deer meat'. Other media reports also suggested that 'Hunting was a regular pass time for the stars' to add fuel to the fire.
The story that followed is history. Salman and the others were booked by the Rajasthan forest
department on charges of poaching of endangered animals. The other co-accused in the case had been acquitted. And last month, after five years of Salman himself pushing for a court date and subsequent verdict, the court finally put the actor behind bars. The nation reacted, some kindly, some not so kindly. Whatever the reactions, Salman was released on bail after spending four nights in the dark recess of the Indian prisons. It's said that we only believe what we are told, or what we read. Salman Khan killed the blackbucks, is what we believe.
Or perhaps what we'd like to believe as well. It's a well rounded logic; the one who has a criminal record will obviously lose to the ones with a clean chit. All the evidence works against him, the first being Salman's own admittance. What happened between the bullets leaving the gun and the villagers spotting Salman, and viewing him as the culprit? A piece of information that could turn
the case topsy-turvy.
A secret piece of information that lies safe between the six who were present that night.
A secret that will remain so, until someone
decides to speak the truth. Then again, who will bell the cat?
This story has all the
ingredients of a Bollywood potboiler. It's probably been the best kept secret in the Khan household. That night, it wasn't Salman Khan who shot the bullet that killed the two blackbucks. It was someone else within that clique. Salman, we are told was sure that since he's the bigger star, he would be able to slip out of the case easy. Also, he didn't expect that it would blow up into such mammoth proportions and assume such an ugly turn. Since it was his idea in the first place to go hunting, he only thought it ethical to take the blame on himself. He knew that the one who commited the crime was only a fledgling of an actor and would lose everything if he/she admitted. It was a spot decision made in a nano second that has now cost Salman his precious time. Not to mention the tarnish it has caused his reputation. It was an easy call for the villagers to make at the time. Salman was after all the front runner on the scene of the crime. Known as a generous person, Salman didn't deter from sticking by his word in the courtroom too. Maybe in his head, he was sure that he would go scot-free, poaching being a bailable offence. What he didn't know was how he would get stuck in the middle of a political imbroglio.
The reason why this case gained so much mileage, apart from the fact that it has a top star involved, is the fact that the Bishnois are very powerful people. It is said that they form a major chunk of the voters' population. The politicians need their support. Upsetting the Bishnois would mean a major loss to political parties. The Bishnois on their part were bent on raising hell over the black buck issue. All these aspects complicated the case further and there was no way the issue could've been swept
under the rug. Salman's confidence in not getting convicted was evident with the fact that during the trial, he asked the judge to speed up the proceedings. But this was obviously not a chapter that would be closed soon. No one doubted the offender till date. It was when Salman was finally sent to jail that everyone around him realized the seriousness of what magnitude the case would eventually reach. By now the secret had spilt through a few seams. Salman's family members were aware of their son's innocence and misjudged acquittal. For them, it wasn't easy to see Salman go through the case hearings and the final blow, the short visit to the prison. It is rumored that Sallu's parents were of the opinion that the real offender stand up and accept the blame. When Salman's mother, Salma was hospitalized the day he was sent to jail, this opinion became a common consensus in the Khan family. But still, decency prevailed and they didn't make any hasty decision about letting
the cat out of the bag. Stardust spoke to Salim Khan, Salman's father, about why Salman would take the rap for someone lese, when it was costing him so dearly. Salim Sahab sighed and said, "What difference will it make that what has remained hidden for so long should be brought out now? The damage has been done as far as Salman is concerned. Salman never imagined that it would turn out like this. And if we now bring out the truth, people will say we are desperate and just trying to defend ourselves. We believe that Salman is being made an example to prove the fact that the law can be very severe and make no distinction for anybody. I say, 'If Salman is guilty, let him be punished'. But facts have been hidden. And today, even the driver of the vehicle they were hunting in has gone on record on television channels to give his version of the truth as it really happened that day, but nobody is even listening to him. They have suppressed the evidence. And there is nobody who has actually been a witness to Salman's pulling the trigger on the black bucks. Only the people who were with him that night know the truth. Anyway, the matter is sub-judice now and I do not want to say anything that will only make it worse for us." He further added, "My point is, if you want to make an example of something, do it with the first, the second, the third cases of offenders. Then the so called crime will not be perpetrated and future offenders will think twice because of the severe punishment meted out. But ten thousand such cases have gone by, why wake up one day and pick on Salman? I cannot understand what the issue is with Salman. Ironically, I was arrested for keeping animals on my farm. And my son has been arrested for killing animals." Salim Sahab also added, "The locals in Jodhpur encourage people to go on professional shikaar (hunting) there, as a source of income. And there are boards that announce 'Hiran ka gosht (deer meat) — Rs. 300 kilo'. What about that? And how are visitors even capable of knowing where to hunt and how to get into the forest if it were not for local guides? So what are they talking about? It is completely ridiculous, and the issue was used because making an uproar about films stars meant more mileage for the then forthcoming elections amongst the Bishnoi community." All this is telling to say the least. Salim Khan may not come out and say it but the fact remains that they know their son and they know he is innocent in this case. But then Salman has always been known for his steadfast loyalty to his friends. It's Hum Saath Saath Hain through thick and thin for him, and this only goes to prove the example above and beyond the realms of professional and personal ties.
It was to Salman's misfortune that he had already made a declaration by accepting the charges against him for poaching. As things stand now, it would take a miracle to turn the tables. And although the actor is out on bail, the ordeal is far from over. There will be court hearings, more trials and tribulations. Unless, the real culprit, who escaped the clutches of the law because of Sallu's generosity, comes clean and confesses the crime, there may be little hope. Meanwhile, watch this space for more. Who knows? Maybe conscience may want to break out of hibernation.
Health and Fitness
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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