Overview
- On Monday the actor used his blog and X to reject reports that portrayed his chant as a challenge, saying the phrase “Hathi ghoda palki, Jai Kanhaiya Lal ki” is a devotional invocation to Lord Krishna.
- Bachchan accused sections of the press of twisting his words for publicity, called some outlets part of a “fifth column,” and demanded they acknowledge mistakes and apologise.
- He warned that of his roughly 50 million followers about 10 percent would be “ready and waiting to strike” if he gave a signal, though no organized action by supporters has been reported.
- The exchange began after his routine Sunday fan meeting at his Mumbai home Jalsa, where he greeted admirers from a specially designated glass enclosure and was then quoted by some outlets.
- The dispute highlights tensions over media framing of religious language, raises questions about press responsibility, and underscores the potential for large celebrity followings to be mobilised.