Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis commented on the recent knife attack on actor Saif Ali Khan, asserting on Thursday that Mumbai should not be deemed an unsafe city.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asserted that Mumbai remains the safest city in the country, despite occasional incidents. Addressing the media, he acknowledged that while such occurrences cannot define the city’s overall security, they must be taken seriously. He added that authorities are actively investigating the motive behind the recent attack.
He added, “Calling it unsafe will tarnish Mumbai’s image. However, we need to make the city safer and we are trying to make efforts for the same.”
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar condemned the incident, stating it exposed Maharashtra’s declining law and order situation. Echoing his concerns, opposition leaders argued that the attack on Saif Ali Khan underscores growing insecurity, even for celebrities, and reflects CM Fadnavis’ failure in handling the home department.
“It shows (attack on Khan) that the law and order situation in Maharashtra is deteriorating. Recently, a person was killed in the same area and now this incident. All these things are worrisome,” Pawar told reporters at Baramati in Pune when asked about the attack on Khan.
“The state government, especially the chief minister, who holds charge of the home department, should pay attention to these things more seriously,” the former Maharashtra chief minister said.
In October of last year, former state minister Baba Siddique was fatally shot by three assailants in Mumbai’s Bandra area.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut stated that security remains a concern for everyone, emphasizing, “No one is safe. Even celebrities with their own security are vulnerable, let alone ordinary citizens.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut criticized the state’s law enforcement priorities, stating that police are largely deployed for the security of politicians, “especially those who defect.” He added, “There is no fear of law. The government stands exposed.”
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe told PTI Videos that the law and order situation in the state has worsened. Citing recent incidents in Beed, where a village sarpanch was brutally killed for allegedly preventing an extortion attempt on an energy firm, Londhe claimed that the administration is serving the interests of anti-social elements.
Congress leader Atul Londhe remarked that if high-profile actors like Saif Ali Khan and Salman Khan, who reside in high-security zones, are being targeted and feel the need to install bulletproof windows, it reflects a lack of public trust in the government.
Recently, a bulletproof glass panel was installed outside the balcony of Salman Khan’s Bandra residence. This measure follows an incident last April when two members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang opened fire outside his house.
“If such big people are not safe, what about common people? Even the hometown of Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis has witnessed many murders and rapes in the last 10 days,” Londhe said, referring to Nagpur.
“It clearly indicates that Fadnavis has completely failed in maintaining law and order in Maharashtra,” he said.
