Mumbai:
The recent knife attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, which left him with six stab wounds, including one near his spinal cord, has taken a dramatic turn as Maharashtra Ports Minister Nitesh Rane made shocking allegations questioning the authenticity of the incident. The 54-year-old actor, who was discharged from Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital and seen walking out, has now become the center of a political controversy.
Minister Nitesh Rane accused the actor of “dancing while walking” out of the hospital and said he doubted whether Saif Ali Khan was genuinely injured or simply “acting.” The minister did not hold back, referring to the Bollywood star as “garbage” and connecting the attack to the growing presence of “Bangladeshis” in Mumbai.
“Look at what Bangladeshis are doing in Mumbai. They entered Saif Ali Khan’s house. Earlier, they stood at road crossings; now they are entering homes. Maybe he came to take him (Saif) away. It is good… garbage should be taken away,” Rane said, as quoted by ANI.
He also criticized Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Jitendra Awhad and Supriya Sule, alleging that they only speak up when high-profile actors like Saif Ali Khan or Shah Rukh Khan are involved. “When a Hindu actor like Sushant Singh Rajput is tortured, no one comes forward to say anything,” Rane added.
Deputy CM Responds to the Minister’s Comments
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar downplayed Rane’s remarks, stating that if the minister had any concerns, he should address them with the Home Department. Pawar emphasized that the accused, Shariful Shehzad, a Bangladeshi national, had been arrested and suggested that Shehzad may have been attempting to steal money to return to Bangladesh.
“The truth is, the person has been arrested. He came from Bangladesh and needed money to go back. He must have been mesmerized by Mumbai,” Pawar added.
Congress Leader’s Remark Fuels Debate
Adding to the controversy, Sanjay Nirupam, now part of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, also questioned the incident. “The way Saif came out of the hospital, it didn’t seem like anything serious had happened,” Nirupam remarked, further igniting speculation.
Bangladeshi National Arrested in Burglary Case
The alleged attacker, Shariful Shehzad, reportedly entered Saif Ali Khan’s home with the intention of burglary. When confronted by the actor’s nanny and later by the actor himself, he allegedly stabbed Saif in the altercation. Police tracked Shehzad to Thane after a lengthy chase and confirmed he had been living in India illegally.
While the police investigation continues, the political storm surrounding the incident has raised questions about public discourse and the handling of sensitive cases involving celebrities.
