What are the Bishnoi clan's rules for apologising and repenting?

PTC News Desk: "Salman Khan should visit our temple and apologise for hurting the sentiments of our community," gangster Lawrence Bishnoi stated in an interview from Punjab's Bathinda jail last year. Over a year and a half later, the shocking murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, claimed by the Bishnoi gang and linked to his connections with the actor, prompted a BJP leader to urge Salman Khan to apologise for his alleged involvement in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.

In 1998, Salman Khan was accused of hunting and killing two blackbucks while filming Hum Saath Saath Hain in Rajasthan. The blackbuck is considered sacred by the Bishnoi sect, and the incident sparked widespread outrage.

Members of the Bishnoi community believe that Salman Khan "committed a crime" and must offer an apology. This apology must align with the strict rules set out in the 29 niyama (Code of Conduct) established by Guru Jambheshwar, the 16th-century founder of the Bishnoi Panth.

According to the community's beliefs, if an individual commits an offense, they must feel genuine remorse, leading to atonement, as explained by Hanuman Ram Bishnoi, secretary of the All India Bishnoi Samaj.

To seek forgiveness, one must visit Mukti Dham Mukam in Bikaner, Rajasthan, which is the final resting place of Guru Jambheshwar and holds significant religious importance for the Bishnoi community.

“Salman Khan took two beautiful lives from nature. When someone commits a crime, there should be a sense of remorse and a genuine desire to apologize," Hanuman Ram said.

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At Mukti Dham Mukam, the individual seeking forgiveness must formally apologize to the community, stating, “Bishnoi Samaj, I have committed an offense. Please forgive me," as explained by the Bishnoi Samaj leader.

Once the apology is made in the prescribed manner, the decision to accept or reject it rests entirely with the community. "The Bishnoi Samaj can then consider granting forgiveness. That decision is entirely up to the Samaj, which has over 70 lakh members worldwide," he noted.

According to Hanuman Ram, until Salman Khan apologises, he “deserves punishment.” This sentiment was echoed by Bishnoi Samaj President Devendra Bishnoi, who stated, “If a proposal for forgiveness comes from Salman, then we will present it before the community.”

In the blackbuck hunting case, Salman Khan was convicted by a trial court in 2018, after which Lawrence Bishnoi vowed revenge against the actor. Khan has appealed the conviction, and the case is currently pending before the Rajasthan High Court.

However, the legal implications complicate matters, as Salman Khan has pleaded not guilty in the blackbuck case. Any potential apology to the Bishnoi community might contradict his legal stance, creating a challenging situation for the actor.

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