New Delhi, Sep 12 (IANS): Bollywood actor Salman Khan has triggered a controversy by claiming that "too much hype" was created around the 26/11 attack as "elite people were targetted" and that the Pakistani government was not behind it.
In an interview to a Pakistani channel, Salman said: "Too much hype has been created around the 26/11 attacks because elite people were targetted. Attacks have happened in trains and small towns too, but no one talked about it so much."
"Everybody took this up because the Taj and Oberoi hotels were involved. The attacks happened because our security failed," he added.
Salman Khan Must Apologise: BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sunday demanded an apology from Bollywood actor Salman Khan for his "unwarranted comments" on the 26/11 attacks to a Pakistani TV channel where he said that the Pakistani government is not to be blamed for it and the terror attack gained attention "only because the elite were targeted".
"We strongly condemn Salman Khan's unwarranted and irresponsible comments and that too to a Pakistani channel. How can he say only the elite were targeted? Is he not aware of the common people killed at the railway station and also the security forces? Moreover he has no right to give the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) and the Pakistani government a clean chit... He should immediately apologise," BJP spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain told IANS.
Salman Khan in an interview to Pakistan's Express TV said the Pakistani government is not to be blamed and that it was a security failure on India's part.
"Salman's comment at this point when all the evidence is pointing a finger at the ISI and Pakistan, is totally uncalled for. This will weaken India's case and strengthen Pakistan's. He is an Indian celebrity and he has disappointed many Indian fans. If there was POTA today he would be behind bars," Hussain said.
"Salman should concentrate on films and not make such coments," Hussain added.
The Nov 26-29, 2008 attack left 166 people dead as 10 terrorists who sailed in from Karachi let loose coordinated shooting and bombing attacks largely across south Mumbai.
Eight of the attacks occurred in south Mumbai at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, the Orthodox Jewish-owned Nariman House, the Metro Cinema and a lane behind the Times of India building and St. Xavier's College. There was also an explosion at Mazagaon, in Mumbai's port area, and in a taxi at Vile Parle.
"Everybody knows that the Pakistani government was not behind it and it was a terrorist attack. Our security had failed. We have had lot of attacks earlier, and all of them were not from Pakistan. They were from within also."
His comments have drawn strong reactions. Public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told a news channel: "Salman's comments are illogical and an actor shouldn't have commented on terror attacks in this manner."