The Republican Party of India (RPI) on Thursday threatened to stall the shooting of playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya’s shows in Mumbai and sought an apology from him for his “insensitive” comments against the homeless, after actor Salman Khan was convicted in the 2002 hit-and-run case.
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Coming out in support of Salman, Abhijeet had on Wednesday sought to blame the homeless for the star’s plight in a series of tweets, with his comments being described as insensitive” by several people.
“We will not allow any recordings of his songs, or his shows to take place in Mumbai unless he condemns his own remarks and tenders and unconditional apology not only to the victims who have suffered in the 2002 hit-and-run case involving Salman Khan, but to all those people who are forced to sleep on pavements as they cannot afford to build homes in the city,” party’s vice president Vivek Pandit told reporters.
Mr. Pandit said that his party will formally submit a letter of request to all entertainment channels on Thursday asking them to not telecast any music video recorded earlier featuring Abhijeet.
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“We will not let any promotional clips of his to be run on any channel. He has insulted the poor people and made a mockery of their lives,” he said.
Mr. Pandit also threatened to disrupt the singer’s recording sessions, if he does not tender an apology.
“Come out fraternity, support @BeingSalmanKhan boldly not hypocriticly Roads footpath r not meant 4 sleeping, not driver’s or alcohol’s fault,” Abhijeet had posted on twitter.
“Kutta rd pe soyega kutte ki maut marega, roads garib ke baap ki nahi hai (If a dog sleeps on the road, he’ll die a dog’s death. Roads are not the property of people). I ws homles an year nvr slept on rd (sic),” he had tweeted.
After a lot of backlash, Abhijeet apologised last night.