NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on actor Salman Khan over his presence at the RSS’s 100th anniversary celebrations, alleging that the Bollywood star may have attended the event under pressure. He also claimed that the actor lacks the courage to refuse to an invitation sent by the ruling establishment.Speaking to reporters, the SP MLA suggested that Khan, as a public figure, may not have had the freedom to decline an invitation associated with those in power. “I understand that Salman Khan is an actor, and he has to live with respect in the country. If people on the ruling side say something, I don’t think Salman Khan has the courage to refuse. He must have gone there under government pressure,” Azmi said, hinting at coercion behind the actor’s appearance.

#WATCH मुंबई: अभिनेता सलमान खान RSS की 2 दिवसीय व्याख्यान श्रृंखला में ‘संघ की 100 वर्ष की यात्रा’ में शामिल हुए।

इस पर समाजवादी पार्टी नेता अबू आसिम आजमी ने कहा, “मैं समझता हूं कि सलमान खान एक अभिनेता हैं और उन्हें देश में सम्मान के साथ रहना है। अगर सत्ता पक्ष के लोग कोई बात… pic.twitter.com/27m9puWttP

— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) February 11, 2026

Azmi’s remarks came after Salman Khan attended the RSS Mumbai Vyakhyanmala event on Saturday, part of a two-day lecture series titled “100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons.” The actor’s presence at the event has since sparked a political debate, drawing reactions from leaders across party lines.Defending Khan, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde dismissed the controversy and urged political leaders not to politicise the issue. He said there was nothing unusual about the actor attending the programme, emphasising that Khan, as an Indian citizen, had every right to be present at such events.“Whether Salman Khan went to an RSS programme or not, why should this even be questioned? Salman Khan is an Indian citizen. He follows Indian culture — Ganpati comes to his house, and his entire family believes in these traditions. I don’t think there is anything wrong with this. In fact, it is absolutely right,” Shinde said, adding that unnecessary politics should not be made out of the matter.

Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane also came out in support of the actor, while trading barbs on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.

Rane claimed, “Salman Khan is more of a Hindu than Uddhav Thackeray. He had the courage to attend the RSS program.”