The family of an imprisoned gangster breaks their silence

The Bishnoi community stands behind gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, his cousin Ramesh Bishnoi has assured and is calling on actor Salman Khan to apologize to the community in connection with the blackbuck hunting case. “Salman Khan should apologize. His family is playing with our religious feelings. If Salman Khan doesn’t apologize, the law will take its course,” Ramesh told NDTV.

Salman Khan was accused of hunting a blackbuck – considered sacred by the Bishnoi community – during the shooting of the film “Hum Sath Sath Hain” in Jodhpur in 1998. In 2018, the Rajasthan High Court found him guilty and sentenced him to five years prisons . He challenged the Supreme Court verdict but was later released on bail.

Lawrence Bishnoi, who has been in prison since 2015 on numerous criminal charges, told the court in 2018 that he wanted to kill the actor for hurting the feelings of the community. Salman Khan has received multiple threats over the past few weeks – allegedly from members of the Bishnoi gang – following which security has been tightened at the actor’s apartment and farmhouse.

Ramesh said that all members of the Bishnoi community were furious when the blackbuck incident happened and they are ready to make sacrifices to save the animals.

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“Our society loves wildlife and trees. 363 of our ancestors gave their lives to save trees. When Salman Khan killed the black goat, every Bishnoi’s blood boiled. We left the decision to the court. But if a community has been ridiculed, it is natural for the public to get angry. Today, the entire Bishnoi community supports Lawrence in this matter,” he said.

Ramesh alleged that Salman Khan had earlier offered money to the Bishnoi community, but they refused to accept it.

“His father Salim Khan said the Lawrence gang was in it for the money. I want to remind him that his son brought a checkbook to the community and asked them to write down the numbers and take them away. If we were hungry for money, then we would take it,” he said.

He maintained that Salman Khan had been found guilty in the black goat case, while the court was yet to find Lawrence guilty of the charges against him.

“Salman Khan is guilty. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison. Contrary to this decision, he took the case to the Supreme Court. Has any court proven any crime against Lawrence? He will only be considered a criminal if the court proves his guilt, Rames said.

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On the Bishnoi gang member’s confession of responsibility in the Baba Siddique murder case, Ramesh said that only after an investigation would it be known whether Lawrence was involved. He also denied Lawrence Bishnoi’s involvement in the extortion cases, saying the family was wealthy and would not demand ransom on his behalf.

“Nothing has been proven yet. Lawrence has 110 acres of land. He has two brothers who are landowners. If it were for money, would a person with 110 acres of land do such a thing? Other people are demanding ransom in his name, he is not doing that,” Ramesh said.

Lawrence studied well and even secured a scholarship, Ramesh said, adding that they still couldn’t believe he could become a big gangster.

He said the last time he met Lawrence, the mobster told him he was being framed. “The last time I saw him was in the court of Abohar. I only met him for 5 minutes. I told him to avoid this path, he said he was framed and no one listens to him,” he said.