Caste remark: Salman, Shilpa fail to appear

actors Salman Khan and Shilpa Shetty failed to appear before Churu district police in Rajasthan on Monday in connection with a case lodged against them last month for alleged casteist remarks.

Churu deputy superintendent of police Hukam Singh had summoned the actors for allegedly using a derogatory word that hurt the sentiments of Valmiki community. Film analyst Komal Nahta was also summoned.

Members of the Valmiki community had staged protests and burnt effigies of the actors outside many cinema halls in Rajasthan.

They demanded that a case be lodged against Slaman and Shilpa under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and they be arrested. Hukam Singh said, “The actors were asked to

JAIPUR:Bollywood

present themselves on January 15 but they did not appear. Summoning orders will now be issued to them for being present on January 22 or 29.”

Salman had allegedly used the word ‘Bhangi’ during the promotion of his film ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ while referring to his dancing skills. Shilpa had reportedly used the word to describe how she looks at home.

Last year, a complaint was also registered against the actors in connection with the matter in Mumbai.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) had sought replies from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the police commissioners of Delhi and Mumbai over the issue after it received a complaint from an ex-chairman of the Delhi Commission for Safai Karamcharis, Harnam Singh. HTC