Jodhpur residents divided over Salman's arrest

With Bollywood star Salman Khan lodged in the city central jail, Jodhpur has suddenly come into the spotlight. But residents here have mixed feelings about the actor serving a five-year jail term for hunting an endangered chinkara deer nine years ago.

While his fans, who have been gathering around the prison here ever since Salman was arrested Saturday, feel he has been booked because of his celebrity status, many are of the opinion that the actor has been rightly punished.
A majority of his sympathisers are girls and the youth who consider him a style icon.
'I think he is suffering because of his celebrity status. The court has acquitted five others in the same case ... why has only he been pronounced guilty?' questioned Anupama Chaudhary, a Class 12 student.
And many Salman fans firmly believe he is innocent. Said Bhanwar Singh, another college student: 'A person like Salman can't do something like this. I have read that he helps lots of people and engages in charity. He could not have done this. All charges against him are fake.'
At the same time, several people felt he had been rightly punished. 'As an actor I love Salman but if you have committed a crime, no matter how big or small you are, you should be punished. Law is above all,' said Ashok Chaudhary.
Salman was arrested at Jodhpur airport Saturday and taken to the central jail. He has been convicted of poaching a chinkara deer at the Ghoda farm near Jodhpur on the night of Sep 28, 1998 while filming Sooraj Barjatya's blockbuster 'Hum Saath Saath Hain'.
On Friday, the district and sessions court here had dismissed the actor's plea against the five-year jail term handed down by a lower court.

But several wildlife lovers felt the judgement was a landmark one, which was in favour of animal rights.
'I think this judgement will go a long way and help curb poaching activities,' said Ramkumar Purohit, a resident.
And the happiest are members of the Bishnoi community who are nature worshippers and staunch animal lovers. Deer and antelopes are seen grazing peacefully in Bishnoi dominated areas due to the care and protection offered by the community. They had launched strong protests against Salman for killing chinkaras and black bucks.
'We are very happy with the court's decision. Though it has come after many years but he is finally behind bars and we hope that he is not released,' said R.K. Bishnoi, a college student.