Odia Actor Says Rahul Gandhi Should Be Lawrence Bishnoi's Next Target, Stirs Row

Odia film actor Buddhaditya Mohanty has faced backlash following a controversial social media post about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

In a Facebook post, Mohanty allegedly suggested that Rahul Gandhi should be the next target of the notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. He wrote: "Germany had the Gestapo... Israel has the Mossad... USA has the CIA... now India has Lawrence Bishnoi... next in the list should be Owaisi and Rahul Gandhi."

A police complaint has been lodged against the Odia actor in response to this.

National Students' Union of India (NSUI) president Udit Pradhan filed the complaint at the Capital police station on Friday, calling for action against Mohanty for the post, which has since been deleted.

"In the social media post, Mohanty stated that after killing NCP leader Baba Siddique, gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's next target should be Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. We cannot tolerate such a comment against our leader," said Pradhan.

Pradhan also submitted a screenshot of Mohanty's social media post to the police, along with the complaint.

Amid growing outrage, Mohanty later issued an apology on Facebook on Friday. The actor clarified that his post was never meant to target, harm, or demean the politician in any way.

"My last post regarding Rahul Gandhiji...was never to target, harm, or demean him in any way...nor was it intended to be against him...if I unintentionally affected anyone's sentiments...this was not my intention...I offer my sincere apologies...regards (sic)," he wrote.

Police are investigating the matter.

Mohanty's controversial post quickly sparked a storm of criticism, with many accusing him of inciting violence against the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Baba Siddique, the Congress-turned-NCP leader, was shot on October 12 near his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Nirmal Nagar, Bandra, Mumbai. He succumbed to his injuries at Lilavati Hospital.

Nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the case so far, with three key suspects still at large.