How a committed and inspired Bishnoi community did Salman Khan in

NEW DELHI: Film star Salman Khan, found guilty today of killing black bucks in a Jodhpur village 20 years ago, would have never imagined that one of the most commonly found animals in the region, a black buck, would have the power to do him in. Since the Bishnois revere black bucks, ranged against Khan were people who won't hesitate in even laying down their own lives to save black bucks.

The Bishnoi sect was started by Guru Jambheshwar of Bikaner in Rajasthan in the 15th century. He set down 29 tenets which direct the community to protect nature and animals as well as worship God. Killing animals and felling of trees are grave sins for the Bishnoi community.

The Bishnois won't hesitate in even laying down their own lives to save black bucks. (Image: AFP)

That the Bishnois can lay down their own lives to save trees and animals is no hyperbole. In 1730 AD, the king of Jodhpur ordered cutting down of khejri trees to build a palace for himself. The Bishnois consider these trees sacred, so they challenged the king. Amrita Devi, a Bishnoi woman, and her three daughters hugged the trees and the king's soldiers had to kill them. Hundreds of Bishnoi men, women and children were killed in this manner trying to save khejri trees. It was Amrita Devi who inspired the modern Chipko movement decades ago in what is now the state of Uttrakhand. The Bishnois are vegetarians. They don't cut trees even for fuel for which they use fallen branches and twigs. Their women raise orphaned calves as their own children and also suckle them, as reported by NDTV.

In this file photograph taken on January 13, 2006, Indian Bollywood actor Salman Khan arrives at the Rajasthan Highcourt in Jodhpur. (Image: AFP)

It was the commitment of the Bishnoi community to their guru and tradition that made ordinary villagers oppose a mega star like Salman Khan. The present case was bolstered by a Bishnoi witness who claimed to have watched Salman shoot at black bucks. Poonamchand Bishnoi, a local from the Bishnoi community, claimed Salman and his co-stars were on a hunting session in Bhagoda ki Dhani in Kankani village near Jodhpur when he was out to answer the nature's call. He heard gunshots and saw the headlights of a jeep. He noticed Salman and Saif Ali Khan in the front seats and Tabu, Neelam and Sonali Bendre in the back seats.

From left, Sonali Bendre, Saif Ali Khan and Tabu. (Image: Aagencies)

Bishnoi heard Salman's co-actors telling him to shoot at a herd of black bucks which Salman did. Bishnoi saw him shooting down two black bucks. When Bishnoi challenged the actors, they fled the spot, leaving behind the carcasses. But Bishnoi noted down the number of the jeep and informed the forest department.

Though black buck is a protected animal and Salman was prosecuted by the state for the violation of law, the case remained in the headlines due to the Bishnoi community. On the intervening night of October 1 and 2, Salman did not merely shoot dead two animals, as the court has now found, but antagonised a proud community that has a history of valour. Witnesses often turn hostile in high-profile cases where powerful people are the accused. But in the present case, eyewitness Bishnoi was inspired by his religion and tradition to not give in and pursue the case to its end.