Patna: The death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput is taking a political colour in poll-bound Bihar, with a number of political parties backing his family’s demand for a CBI probe into his suicide.
The popular actor, who was from Bihar capital Patna, died on 14 June. The state is still mourning his death. There is anger also among the people, and some groups even burnt the effigies of actor Salman Khan and producer-director Karan Johar last week, alleging Sushant was “harassed” by the influential in Bollywood.
Speaking to ThePrint, Sushant’s maternal uncle R.C. Singh said the family does not trust the Maharashtra government and hence wants a CBI probe.
The demand has been backed by Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) president Chirag Paswan, who has written to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar urging him to ensure the central agency probes the actor’s death. Jan Adhikar Party chief Pappu Yadav has also come out in support of the family.
BJP spokesperson Rajni Ranjan Patel said his party has not demanded a CBI inquiry, “but we want the matter thoroughly probed”. “It is a great loss for Bihar,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi had visited Sushant’s family to personally offer condolences. The LJP also held a meeting demanding that his last film should be made tax free in Bihar.
The actor belonged to a family that has political ties. His cousin, the JDU-turned-BJP MLA Neeraj Kumar Bablu, has been representing the Chhatapur constituency in Saharsa district since 2005.
His family said Sushant too harboured political ambitions. “He had the background,” Bablu told ThePrint. “Our family is spread out in bureaucracy, politics and business. Last year, when he came to attend a family function in Bihar, he told me that he would go big in the state after this year.”
Bablu said the family would decide on the next course of action after the actor’s last rites are performed. The BJP MLA also said the condolences received by the family cut across all sections and regions. “It shows the potential Sushant had in Bihar politics had he chosen to enter it,” he added.
Also read: Bollywood’s nepotism didn’t start with Karan Johar. But it must end with Sushant Singh Rajput
Death also takes a caste turn
It isn’t just the family and politicians demanding the CBI probe. Members of the Karni Sena have also taken to the streets calling for the central agency to investigate the death.
The Karni Sena represents the Rajputs in the state, the community that Sushant Singh belonged to.
The actor, however, was a pan-Bihar icon, particularly among the youth. “One just had to see the crowd that had assembled near Kargil Chowk (in Patna) to pay tribute to him on 16 June to know his popularity among the younger generation,” said BJP MLA Gyanendra Singh Gyanu.
In 2017, Sushant had even dropped ‘Rajput’ from his name on Twitter after filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali was slapped and heckled by members of Karni Sena on the sets of Padmavat in Jaipur over alleged “distortion of history”.
His death has, however, still become a rallying cry for the state’s Rajputs.
“The late actor may not have thought in caste terms but after his death, the CBI probe demands and the mourning are all an attempt to woo his powerful caste,” conceded a BJP leader.
The Rajputs, along with the Bhumihar community, are considered the most vocal and aggressive sections of upper castes in Bihar. Of the 243 MLAs in the Bihar assembly, 19 are Rajputs. And there are around 40 more assembly segments where the community plays a decisive role.
As such, every political party in the state, including the RJD, has made efforts to woo the community. In fact, RJD chief Jagdanand Singh is a Rajput. However, since 2005, the Rajputs have mainly backed the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Also read: Karan Johar, Alia Bhatt lose lakhs of Instagram followers as Sushant fans call out ‘nepotism’
Come on Rajputs and Biharis , show your strength to bollywood and all those who murdered your brightest star. So that next time they think twice before looking down at one of you.
We want CBI inquiry for sushant singh rajput
Sushant was killed by servants and by his friend no suicide I saw in dreams
Well looks like ThePrint is trying hard to weave a Bihar political angle here, when in reality all parties including Rupa Ganguly who is NOT from Bihar is also demanding a CBI probe. BJP, LJP and other political parties have all come together to demand a CBI probe and that’s because SSR was loved by one and all and did not belong to any particular film camp or mafia. An independent CBI probe is crucial and entire media including ThePrint needs to support it since there are a lot of unanswered questions.
We want C. B. I. Inquiry for shusant singh rajput
Salman finally got married to Kaaaran Johaaarr (The Gay).Thats a great news.when is the” honey “ moon .They are all beggars of Bollywood.I wish these producer directors would have tried to approach the Great actor”Rajkumar” for their films.His arrogance and insults would have taught them a lesson.Karanwa and Salmanwa If really you are a man and can Stand on your feet ! Without the clutches of your dad -then talk.Are not ashame of yourself.Try to be a self made actor ; not to live on the crumbs of you dad.
We want CBI Inquiry Sushantsinghrajput justice
Duffer thiefs beggers nalayak cbi sir’s why doing dealy shushanth sir ji ka murder case . And the same quest duffers beggers theis nalayak mumbai police we are aski g question okay please arrest this all big theifs beggers nalayak duffer sala salman sala sharu khan sala aditya copra sala mukesh bhhat sala karan joha sala ranveer kapoor sala ranveer sing and nalaya sleep other woth actors and diectors and earning money begger nalayak duffer theafs aliya bhatt and riya and katrina and sonam kapoor and deepika payola and ankitha this all thefs ko please do arrest and insaf milna hai shushanth jo ko please . Why you doing planning like duffers mumbai polce and CBI wale sala log insaf milna hai shushanth si ji ko . He was very harwoking good knowleger gentel men and good helping harworking actor. We want shushanth ji ka insaf. Dot do save this all theifs duffers beggers nalayak big actors do arrest and do final thia murder case okay. 100% this is murder no sucied busterds duffer CBI Duffer Nalayak Mumbai police. Please dont play dram duffers CBI and Mumbail police
Bhai ko anyay milna chiya
No CBI NO VOTE coming voting time
Cbi janch honi chahiye …
Good article. Didn’t think of such angles to this case. If he had political ambitions too then that angle should be probed as well. Young Charismatic Leaders are discouraged to join politics in our country. Who knows there really is some connection. Karni Sena should take this case as priority. A Rajput upper caste man cannot take this step. He was definitely set up by others. It seems logical to think of a conspiracy. Please solve the case soon. And probe every angle. Please.
We want c.b.i inquery justice for sushan singh rajput
We want C. B. I. Inquiry for shusant singh rajput
Only a few days before Sushant Singh (SS) killed himself, his ex-manager Ms Salian had committed suicide (sorry, I forget her first name). My gut feeling is that SS felt some guilt about her death, and that made him take this drastic step.
thats a logical connection and it valid. something somewhere sushant and his ex manager gor embroiled in mafia money and they paid the price an i do not think both killed themsleves. but sushant was a film actor and now this being india suddenyl he has background of a politician. we see what happens with incompetent politicians the country is lost and cannot even defend it border. i am not in any camp but a few film success is hardly tha qualities of a politician. sushant was a good actor and his death seems suspicious that true but suddenyl caste and politics are now in picture india wll always be india and keep losing soldiers at the border due to this caste and politics
NO CBI NO VOTE WE WANT SHUNTH SIR JI KO INSAF . TOMY LOT CRYING. hardworking shushanth sir ji ko insaf milna hai . duffers theafs beggers nalayak sala salman & sala sharukha with wife karan johar & Ektha kapoor nalayak beggers aliya bhatt aditya chopra Raveer kapoor & Ranveer singh & bansali riya & ankitha katrina mahesh bhatt all big actors are done murder hardworking shushanth sir ji ka . Insaf milna shushanth sir ji ko
Shame on our politicians. They don’t let even their own caste men rest in peace even after death.