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Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar, known for his vocal pro-Hindutva stance, has sparked a political controversy after sharing photos from a recent lunch meeting with Bollywood actors Salim Khan and his son Salman Khan.
Shelar took to X (formerly Twitter) to post the pictures, expressing his delight at meeting the father-son duo and discussing their social work initiatives. However, the seemingly friendly encounter drew flak from critics who questioned the BJP leader’s perceived inconsistencies.
Several netizens pointed out Shelar’s past remarks criticizing political opponents for allegedly compromising on Hindutva principles when aligning with Muslim politicians or speaking against Hindutva ideologues. Last year, he had accused Uddhav Thackeray of departing from Hindutva after the latter’s party allied with the Samajwadi Party.
Shelar had also expressed intentions to protest against Rahul Gandhi over the latter’s statements about V.D. Savarkar, a proponent of Hindutva ideology. These instances were recalled by many who viewed Shelar’s cordial meeting with the Muslim actors as contradictory to his earlier stances.
On X, users did not shy away from voicing their skepticism, with comments questioning where the BJP leader’s commitment to Hindutva had gone. Some accused him of selectively posturing based on electoral motives.
Political analysts suggest that such interactions allow leaders to showcase an image of inclusivity, which could appeal to a wider voter base during elections. However, critics argue that such overtures ring hollow if they contradict core ideological stances.
The controversy has reignited debates around political opportunism and the role of religious identities in India’s charged electoral landscape.
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