Bishnoi community shocked over Salman verdict

Members of the Bishnoi community are shocked over the acquittal of Bollywood star Salman Khan in two 18-year-old chinkara poaching cases.

"We respect the (Rajasthan High) Court. But there is disappointment, specially among wildlife lovers in our community," said Hiraram Bishnoi, a community leader.

"We are going to request the state government to approach the Supreme Court in this case," he said.

As a community, Bishnois love wild animals and protect chinkaras, black bucks and deer among others.

"While we respect the constitution and judicial system, the judgment has come as a shock to us," said Ramniwas Budhnagar of Bishnoi Tiger Force.

A volunteer of Bishnoi Tiger Force who did not wanted to be named blamed the Rajasthan government for not fighting the case properly, leading to Salman Khan's acquittal.

Soon after the verdict was announced in Jodhpur, some volunteers claiming to be from the Bishnoi Tiger Force raised slogans against the Bollywood actor and demanded his arrest.

Salman Khan was accused of poaching chinkaras in a Bishnoi territory. The case dragged on for years.

--IANS

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