May 11, 2025: In an era where every word from a public figure can swing the national mood, Bollywood megastar Salman Khan’s brief tweet about the India-Pakistan ceasefire has reignited an uncomfortable truth — when it comes to geopolitics, celebrities walk a razor’s edge.
On Saturday night, shortly after India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire following weeks of rising tensions, Salman Khan posted a succinct message on X (formerly Twitter):
“Thank God for the ceasefire…”
What seemed like an appeal for peace quickly escalated into controversy. Social media users accused the actor of overlooking Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army’s recent cross-border strikes targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Many questioned why Salman would celebrate a ceasefire without acknowledging the military’s bold action.
“Why no mention of Operation Sindoor?” and “You’re quick to welcome peace, but silent on the Army’s success?” were just some of the pointed comments flooding the post. Within moments, Salman deleted the tweet — but not before screenshots and speculation took over the digital sphere.
While this may seem like a fleeting controversy, it underscores a deeper conundrum: India’s celebrities are increasingly caught between expressing personal views and aligning with heightened national sentiment. A single misstep — or even perceived neutrality — can spark massive backlash in today’s hyper-patriotic environment.
This isn’t Salman’s first brush with politically sensitive topics. Following the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which claimed 26 lives, he tweeted a heartfelt message condemning violence and expressing sympathy for victims:
“Kashmir, heaven on earth, turning into hell… My heart goes out to their families.”
Yet, his recent silence on Operation Sindoor — juxtaposed against his quick endorsement of a ceasefire — proved combustible in an atmosphere where public figures are increasingly expected to mirror patriotic sentiment loudly and clearly.
Some fans defended Salman, noting that Pakistan reportedly violated the ceasefire soon after its announcement, possibly prompting his tweet’s removal. However, the larger conversation has shifted — should celebrities be expected to weigh in on matters of national security at all?
As one user aptly summarised, “It’s hard to be neutral when neutrality itself is seen as taking sides.”
With Salman yet to issue a statement, the incident serves as a reminder that in today’s India, even Bollywood’s biggest stars must tread carefully when geopolitics and patriotism collide.
