After Twitter backlash, Salman Khan apologises for Yakub Memon tweets, removes them

Mumbai: Following a furore, Salman Khan retracted his controversial tweets over the death sentence of 1993 Mumbai blasts accused Yakub Memon and ‘apologised unconditionally’ .

Earlier the Bajrangi Bhaijan star had faced flak over his tweets that condemned the hanging of Yakub Memon and demanded that Tiger Memon be brought to justice instead. The BJP and Shiv Sena held protests outside his home and even his father Salim Khan called his remarks as ‘ignorant’.

Salman tweeted out his apology and deleted his previous tweets on the issue. He, however, condemned those who called his tweets ‘anti-religious’ and maintained that he respected all faiths and religions.

I had tweeted that Tiger Memon should hang for his crimes and I stand by it. What i also said is that Yakub Memon should not hang for him.

— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) July 26, 2015

I have not said or implied that Yakub Memon is innocent. I have complete faith in the judicial system of our country.

— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) July 26, 2015

Many lives were lost in the Mumbai blasts. And I have repeatedly said the loss of one innocent life is equal to the loss of all humanity.

— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) July 26, 2015

My dad called & said I should retract my tweets as they have the potential to create misunderstanding. I here by retract them.

— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) July 26, 2015

I would like to unconditionally apologise for any misunderstanding I may have created unintentionally.

— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) July 26, 2015

I also strongly condemn those who are claiming my tweets are anti religious. I have always said I respect all faiths and I always will.

— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) July 26, 2015

On Sunday morning, Khan had tweeted out in support of 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon saying his brother Tiger should be hanged instead.

Salman tweeted, “Hang Tiger. Brother is being hanged for Tiger. Arre Where is Tiger? Get tiger hang him. Parade him not his brother.”

The superstar even called Yakub an innocent man and tweeted, “One innocent man killed is killing the humanity.” Salman had tweeted out to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asking him to share details about Tiger’s whereabouts and if he is currently hiding in the neighbouring country.

But speaking to Times Now, Salim Khan, Salman’s father, said that the tweets did not mean anything,

“Whatever Salman has written is totally meaningless. I do not support it. His tweets are wrong,” he said.

Shiv Sena chief, Uddhav Thackeray, had expressed his anger and asked whether the actor was trying to question the judicial system of the nation.

Salman’s tweets drew severe flak from several quarters, The BJP’s Mumbai unit protested and sought the cancellation of the actor’s bail in the 2002 hit-and-run case. Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar on Sunday met Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and submitted a letter requesting the cancellation of bail granted by the Bombay High Court.

“Yakub Memon worked on the mission of mass murder. His sympathy can only come from fellow convict who fails to appreciate mercy shown to him,” Shelar added.

The Supreme Court had dismissed Yakub Memon’s curative petition against the death sentence earlier. Memon’s execution is set to take place in the Nagpur Central Jail.

With inputs from agencies