Mumbai: “Law and order has collapsed,” was the common refrain of Maharashtra’s opposition parties after Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed in his home during an attempted burglary on Wednesday night.
The life-threatening attack on the 54-year-old has triggered a political diatribe against the BJP-led ruling coalition, with leaders questioning the city’s security situation.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said “if celebrities are not safe, who in Mumbai is”.
In an ‘X’ post she said, “What a shame that Mumbai sees another high profile attempt on life, the attack on Saif Ali Khan yet again raises questions on Mumbai Police & the Home Minister. This is after a series of incidents that show there is a deliberate attempt to undermine Mumbai by targeting big names: Baba Siddique ji’s family is still awaiting justice after his shocking murder. Salman Khan forced to live in a bullet proof house. Now it is Saif Ali Khan.”
Incidentally, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is in-charge of home affairs.
Reports said Saif fought off the intruder without any weapon, attempting to protect his family during the early morning attack. “There was an attempted burglary at Mr Saif Ali Khan’s residence. He is currently in hospital undergoing surgery. We request the media and fans to be patient. It is a police matter,” an official statement from his team said.
Clyde Crasto, the spokesperson for the Sharad Pawar-led NCP camp, said if high-profile people such as Saif could be attacked in their homes, questions arise about the safety of common citizens.
Congress MP Varsha Gaekwad said she was “extremely shocked at this brazen attack”. “What is going on in Mumbai?… Day in and day out we hear of gun violence, robberies, stabbing incidents in Mumbai and MMR and the government has no answers. We need answers,” she demanded in a post on ‘X’.
Maharashtra Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe Patil said the law and order situation in Maharashtra had “completely collapsed”. “There is pressure from the government on the administration. There is political interference… This is sheer failure of the Home Minister and the government. Political interference should stop immediately. If the Chief Minister is very busy then the Home Ministry should be given to an independent competent minister.”
Amid the criticism of his government, BJP MLA Ram Kadam said the police would investigate the incident and no one would be spared. “According to police, a man entered the actor’s house with the intention of robbery, and in a scuffle with him, the actor suffered injuries. The police will investigate the incident and no one will be spared. Police are responsible to ensure such an incident does not repeat,” he said in a video message.
Earlier in the day, the police said in a statement that an unidentified person intruded in the residence of actor Saif Ali Khan. “The actor and the intruder had a scuffle. The actor is injured and is being treated. Investigation is going on,” it added.
The Lilavati Hospital has said the actor suffered six stab wounds, of which two were deep and one near the spine.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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