ISLAMABAD: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has ignited social media outrage after referring to Balochistan and Pakistan as separate entities.
The remark came during a media interaction in Saudi Arabia, where he was addressing fans alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan.
Pakistani users criticized the statement, calling it politically insensitive and disrespectful to Pakistan’s territorial unity.
The Comment That Triggered Backlash
While speaking to journalists, Salman Khan said, “So many people come here (to Saudi Arabia) from our places, including Balochistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.”
The omission of India and the separate mention of Balochistan immediately caught public attention.
Many Pakistanis viewed the phrasing as controversial and politically charged.
Social Media Reacts with Anger and Disappointment
The clip quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter), where users expressed outrage and disbelief over Salman’s choice of words.
One user wrote, “He might be doing this to prove loyalty to India. Muslim actors there must appear secular and anti-Pakistan.”
Another commented sarcastically, “Balochistan? Just like he has fans in Khalistan, Hindustan, and Afghanistan.”
Several others accused him of deliberately making the statement, calling it “uneducated” and “provocative.”
Broader Political Interpretations Emerge
Some users linked the comment to India’s internal political climate.
“They still carry the pain of Khalistan, which makes them speak like this,” one user claimed.
Another wrote, “This mentality explains why his movies are flopping — arrogance and ignorance go hand in hand.”
The Saudi Tour and Massive Fan Response
Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aamir Khan are currently on a Saudi Arabian tour featuring meet-and-greet events with fans.
The trio’s appearances have drawn massive crowds, highlighting Bollywood’s enduring influence in the Arab world.
Despite the success of the tour, Salman’s remark has overshadowed the event, sparking heated debate online.
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