“If celebrities are not safe, then who is...": Opposition Slams Maharashtra Govt Following Attack on Saif Ali Khan at his Mumbai Residence

An attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan during an attempted burglary at his Mumbai residence during the wee hours of Thursday morning has sparked political outrage in Maharashtra, with opposition parties questioning the state's law and order situation.

The actor was reportedly attacked by a burglar who broke into his home and stabbed him at least six times. The assailant managed to flee and remains unidentified. Saif Ali Khan is currently receiving treatment at Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital. According to medical reports, two of the stab wounds are deep, with one injury located near his spine. A team of doctors is performing surgery on him.

The incident has raised alarm among political leaders, particularly from the opposition, who have criticised the state government for the deteriorating security situation in Mumbai.

Priyanka Chaturvedi, Rajya Sabha MP from Shiv Sena (UBT), expressed her concern, questioning the safety of citizens in the city, especially celebrities. “What a shame that Mumbai sees another high-profile attempt on life. The attack on Saif Ali Khan raises questions on Mumbai Police and the Home Minister,” she wrote on X. Chaturvedi highlighted other recent incidents, such as the murder of politician Baba Siddique and the shooting near actor Salman Khan's house. 

She further criticised the safety conditions in Bandra, an area known for its high concentration of celebrities, emphasising the growing insecurity. “If celebrities are not safe, then who in Mumbai is? Wishing Saif Ali Khan a speedy recovery,” she added.

Congress MP Varsha Gaekwad expressed shock over the brazen nature of the attack. “What is going on in Mumbai? That this happens in Bandra, a neighborhood known for its safety, is concerning. What security can the common man then expect?” she said in a post on X. She pointed out the increasing violence in the city, questioning the government's inability to address the rising incidents of crime. “Day in and day out we hear of gun violence, robberies, stabbing incidents in Mumbai and MMR, and the government has no answers. We need answers,” Gaekwad added.

Clyde Crasto, spokesperson for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), voiced his concerns over the attack, suggesting that if high-profile individuals like Saif Ali Khan are vulnerable, it raises serious questions about the safety of ordinary citizens. “If such high-profile people with levels of security can be attacked in their homes, what could happen to common citizens? The fear of law seems to be at a low in Maharashtra due to leniency in recent years,” he said on X.

In response to the criticism, BJP MLA Ram Kadam assured the public that the police were investigating the incident thoroughly. “According to police, a man entered the actor's house with the intention of robbery, and during a scuffle, the actor suffered injuries. The police will investigate the incident, and no one will be spared. The police are responsible for ensuring such an incident does not repeat,” Kadam said in a video message.

Meanwhile, Saif Ali Khan’s team has appealed for patience from the media and fans, emphasising that the matter is under investigation. “There was an attempted burglary at Mr. Saif Ali Khan's residence. He is currently in hospital undergoing surgery. We request the media and fans to be patient. It is a police matter. We will keep you updated on the situation,” the statement said.