Bollywood superstar Salman Khan found himself at the centre of a social media debate after attending the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s centenary celebration in Mumbai. The two-day event, titled ‘100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons’, marked the organisation’s milestone year and drew several prominent names from the film industry.
Khan shared the stage with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, alongside actors Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. His appearance quickly became a talking point online, with some questioning the optics of his presence at the event. Others, however, dismissed the controversy, calling it an overreaction to a public appearance.
Amid the growing chatter, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stepped in to defend the actor. Speaking to ANI, Shinde questioned the criticism and said Salman Khan’s attendance should not be politicised. “Salman Khan is an Indian citizen. He has Lord Ganesha at his home, respects our culture, and his family does too,” Shinde stated, adding that attending a cultural event should not lead to unnecessary assumptions.
During his address, Mohan Bhagwat spoke about the influence of cinema on young minds, citing Salman Khan’s popularity as an example. He noted how college students often emulate the actor’s fashion, suggesting that such influence could be channelled toward promoting positive social values.The event also saw the participation of Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar, Ananya Panday, Mohit Suri, Subhash Ghai, Nitesh Tiwari and Prasoon Joshi, among others.
