BJP says Salman Khan shoot hurt religious sentiments, demands FIR

BHOPAL: A shoot of Salman Khan's Dabanng 3 in the holy town of Maheswar is tangled in controversy after BJP accused the Bollywood star of hurting religious sentiments during the filming of the title song. The party has lodged a complaint with Election Commission and demanded an FIR against Salman.
Congress described the demand as an "attempt to spoil the atmosphere and deter investments in Madhya Pradesh".Shooting of the film was peaceful on Thursday.
BJP alleges that a Shivlinga at the main ghat of river Narmada was covered with a wooden plank for the shoot on March 31. A few people stood on the plank, pictures of which went viral on social media.
Salman, who arrived on the night of March 31, said he was upset on seeing the Shivlinga covered thus. He appeared before media persons and said he was a 'Shivbhakt', and that he had ensured "nobody climbed on the plank". He said his "sentiments were deeply attached with this area" as his grandfather worked there and CM Kamal Nath had "requested him to shoot his film in Maheshwar to promote tourism and employment".
His explanation wasn't enough to convince BJP. Party MLA from Huzur (Bhopal), Rameshwar Sharma, demanded registration of a case against Salman and suspension of administrative officials "who allowed the film crew to hurt Hindu sentiments". He said the party has moved EC, seeking action against Salman and Congress for violation of model code of conduct. "The state government is playing with sentiments of Hindus. Will Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who claims to be a 'true Hindu', ask the government to take action against Salman Khan?" asked Sharma.
BJP leader Hitesh Bajpai asked Digvijaya Singh and CM Kamal Nath on Twitter whether they support such "anti-Hindu acts". "Salman was invited by CM Kamal Nath to shoot his film during the Lok Sabha elections at the historic temple and fort of Devi Ahilya in Maheshwar. During shooting, local people complained that religious sentiments were hurt as the set was prepared with a wooden plank on a Shivlinga near the bank of river Narmada. The sequel also shows sadhus dancing with Salman Khan. When objections were raised, the actor misbehaved with the public, claiming he has been invited by the CM," Bajpai told TOI, adding that BJP demands a police case against the actor and his team.
Leader of opposition Gopal Bhargava said, "It is highly condemnable that a situation has been created near the 'Jyotirlinga' at Maheshwar fort. The state government must take appropriate action and stop shooting at a religious place. We will not allow insult of Sanatan Darma."
Devotees were not allowed to offer puja as the main gate of the fort was closed by the film unit, Bajpai alleged. A local organisation, named 'Navyuvak Hindu Mitra Mandal', has filed a complaint with the district administration, demanding denial of shooting in the fort. Khargone collector Gopal Chandra Daad said he has received the complaint.
Congress came down heavily on BJP, saying its demands showed "narrow-mindedness of the saffron party". Congress state spokesperson Shobha Oza told reporters, "It is BJP that failed to invite investors despite spending crores of rupees in investors' summits. The state neither witnessed investments, nor development or increase in tourist flow." Asked about Sharma's demands, she said, "Congress is not bound to comment on it."
State sports and youth welfare minister Jitu Patwari said: "BJP spreads hatred and divides people to gain from it. This incident is one such example. Elections will come and go, but my request to them is to create favourable atmosphere in the state for investment and industrialization so that tourism and employment opportunities grow."
While politicians entered into a war of words, Khargone district administration claimed that the matter is "almost resolved". Collector Daad told TOI that film unit had covered a Shivlinga with a wooden plank on March 31, and the complaint regarding this was received by SDM Mandaleshwar on Wednesday. Khargone SP Sunil Kumar Pandey said the Mandaleshwar SDM os holding an inquiry into the covering of the 'Shivlinga'.
"Nobody is allowed to stop pilgrims and tourists from visiting the temple, the throne and 'seat' of Devi Ahilya in the fort. There has been a violation. I have instructed the SDM to investigate the matter and register an FIR for the violations," Daad told reporters on Thursday.
Salman and his brother Arbaaz were born in Indore where their grandfather worked with the police force. On the day he landed in Indore with Arbaaz, Salman had shared a video on Twitter.