In a video released by Pakistani don Shahzad Bhatti, the Dubai-based gangster is seen threatening Chakraborty over his recent comment allegedly against the Muslim community and “advising” him to apologize within 10-15 days. The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified by The Indian Express.
Bhatti, who has a history of association with Lawrence Bishnoi, was reportedly angered by Chakraborty’s remarks made during a BJP membership drive in Kolkata on October 27. Two FIRs were filed against the actor following the incident. However, Bhatti is demanding a public apology from Chakraborty.
“This video is for Mithun, who said in his recent statement that he would “cut Muslims and throw them in their place”. Mithun sahab, make a video in 10-15 days and ask for forgiveness. Your flop films have been made hits by people. (Apologising) within 10 to 15 days…is in best interests and required,” he said in the video.
Alleged hate remarks by actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty have heated the political atmosphere up in West Bengal, where six Assembly seats will be seeing by-polls on Wednesday.
At the event in question, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chakraborty said that the party was ready “for anything” for power in West Bengal. The TMC-turned-BJP leader then referred to a statement by senior TMC leader Humayun Kabir in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. Kabir, who was censured by the Election Commission for his remarks, had said: “If I do not throw you in the Bhagirathi (river) within two hours, I will leave politics. You are 30%, but we are 70%… If you think you can demolish mosques and Muslims will sit back and relax, you are mistaken.”
Referring to the same, Chakraborty said: “He said that 70% of the population here is Muslim, and 30% Hindu… If you throw in the Bhagirathi river, one day will come when we will also throw… not in the Bhagirathi because it is our mother… but we will bury you on the other side.”
“We need such workers who can fight head-on,” he said, “We need such workers who can challenge, “Come, fire at me, show how many bullets you have in your gun”. If you bring down one fruit from our tree, we will take down four.”
Speaking on Bhatti’s purported threat, BJP Spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said, “Mithun Chakraborty’s statement is the consequence of anger in the majority of West Bengal. TMC leader’s statements get importance in Pakistani media. So a threat from Pakistan is not surprising; instead, it is obvious.”
Meanwhile, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said, “That’s why there is a saying: one must not play with fire. Fire sprinkles go off if you hit them.”