Bollywood star Salman Khan faced intense public criticism and was compelled to delete his tweet after he expressed relief over the India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement announced on May 10, 2025, amidst mounting tensions between the two countries. The incident unfolded rapidly over social media, where Salman Khan’s now-deleted tweet triggered an outpouring of anger, with many netizens accusing the actor of showing selective empathy while allegedly remaining silent during critical events such as the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor.
The controversy erupted in the aftermath of a tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, a military operation which continued for four days before India and Pakistan agreed to a sudden ceasefire. As news of the ceasefire became public, Salman Khan took to his X account (formerly Twitter) on May 10, posting simply, “Thank god for the ceasefire….”
The brief message, although expressing relief, quickly drew widespread ire. Social media users flocked to the comments, criticizing Salman Khan for what they perceived as an unbalanced reaction: he had spoken up in favor of the ceasefire, but allegedly ignored crucial moments such as the Pahalgam attack and India’s military efforts through Operation Sindoor. This swift and overwhelming backlash forced Salman Khan to remove the tweet, but not before screenshots circulated widely, continuing the firestorm of critique.
Image of: Salman Khan
The immediate response from the online community was severe. Many accused Salman Khan of being “spineless” and questioned his patriotism, pointing out his online silence during the Pahalgam massacre and subsequent military operations while choosing to speak up only when the ceasefire was announced.
read one comment that garnered attention. Another user posted,
Even Salman Khan’s fans seemed divided. One long-time supporter wrote,
Amidst these critical voices, a handful attempted to defend Salman Khan. One post reasoned,
Still, the mood on social media remained largely negative, with many demanding greater accountability from high-profile celebrities like Salman Khan.
The intensity of the online outrage reflected deeper public sentiments. Many were frustrated by what they felt was a pattern among celebrities who choose carefully when and how to comment on geopolitical issues. In the context of a nation grieving over two major recent events—the Pahalgam tragedy and the military response of Operation Sindoor—the perceived insensitivity of Salman Khan’s timing and messaging seemed to many to be a glaring miscalculation.
The context of Salman Khan’s statement is significant. On April 22, 2025, the attack in Pahalgam shook the country, leaving 26 innocent civilians dead. Violence erupted along the border, resulting in India launching Operation Sindoor on May 7, a counter-operation described by defense officials as a “precision strike.” As tension escalated, four days of violent exchanges gave way to an unexpected joint announcement: India and Pakistan would halt hostilities and honor a ceasefire, a move which was greeted with cautious optimism by some sections of the public and skepticism by others.
When Salman Khan finally voiced his reaction, the relief in his message contrasted sharply with the anguish and anger felt by many online. Detractors questioned why Salman Khan, known for his immense popularity and influence, did not express his opinion during the initial attacks or even offer condolences immediately after the Pahalgam incident. Critics contended that by choosing to comment solely on the ceasefire, Salman appeared to downplay the tragic loss of life and the suffering endured by countless families in Kashmir.
For some observers, the deletion of Salman Khan’s tweet underscored the precarious position that public figures find themselves in when commenting on sensitive national security issues. Celebrities wield significant social influence, and their statements can quickly become focal points of larger social debates. In Salman Khan’s case, his deleted message became a catalyst for broader discussions about the expectations placed on celebrities, their responsibilities toward national sentiment, and the consequences of perceived missteps in the digital age.
Salman Khan’s silence following the deletion did not go unnoticed. As screenshotted copies of the deleted message propagated across platforms, there remained a growing demand for clarification or apology. To date, Salman Khan has issued no official statement to address the controversy or clarify his position regarding either the ceasefire or the series of attacks that precipitated the cross-border hostilities.
This isn’t the first time Salman Khan’s commentary on current affairs has drawn attention. Following the Pahalgam attack, on April 23, 2025, Salman Khan did post about the tragedy, writing,
Despite this, many critics remained unsatisfied, believing that later silence and the timing of the ceasefire tweet sent mixed signals.
The saga has raised broader questions about celebrity activism and the difference between public expectation and personal expression. The backlash against Salman Khan serves as a stark reminder that audiences increasingly hold influential figures to account, not only for their direct actions but for their silences and the subtleties of their statements. In times of national trauma or conflict, even the briefest of comments—or a lack thereof—can spark larger debates about loyalty, empathy, and responsibility.
For those following developments along the India-Pakistan border, the emotional intensity surrounding Salman Khan’s tweet is indicative of the unsettled national mood. Operation Sindoor was widely reported as a strong response to terrorist aggression, and the ceasefire, though generally welcomed by diplomatic circles, has been viewed with suspicion by some sections of the population who feel justice for the victims is yet to be achieved. In such an environment, any sign of perceived neutrality or premature celebration over peace is likely to invite public outrage.
Amid the controversy, statements from netizens continued to pour in. Users accused Salman Khan of prioritizing social harmony over patriotism, alleging hypocrisy for selectively addressing issues aligned with his public image.
commented another observer, reflecting a sense of collective unease that has yet to subside.
Others, however, have cautioned against reading too much into a single tweet. Defenders argue that public figures are often caught between their personal opinions and public expectations, and that the snap judgments made online can polarize rather than promote understanding. Yet, in the case of Salman Khan, the backlash has been so prominent that the incident has become a reference point for how not to engage with sensitive national issues online.
The weight of anticipation now lies heavily on whether Salman Khan will address the uproar or choose to remain silent, risking further alienation of his audience. While some demand an explicit apology, others hope for a clarifying statement acknowledging both the sacrifices made by victims of terrorism and the hope for peace that many citizens continue to nurture.
This episode underlines the volatile interplay between celebrity culture and social media in contemporary India. When national crises unfold in real time before a digitally connected populace, every action or inaction by prominent personalities is scrutinized for meaning, resonance, and perceived intent. Salman Khan’s deleted tweet is just the latest in a long list of celebrity controversies that have shaped—and been shaped by—the metric of social sentiment and instant reaction.
As the aftermath of Operation Sindoor and the broader Indo-Pak conflict continue to occupy public attention, incidents such as this will affect not just how celebrities express themselves, but also how audiences interpret statements and judge allegiances. The intense reactions provoked by Salman Khan’s social media post have already inspired renewed debate about the ethics of digital communication, the expectations of public figures, and the fraught relationship between celebrity opinion and national morale.
Regardless of the outcome, this controversy is an uneasy reminder of the pressures that arise at the intersection of celebrity branding, patriotism, and contemporary digital discourse. The tension over Salman Khan’s deleted tweet may soon be supplanted by newer developments along the Indo-Pakistani border, but the questions it raises about accountability, empathy, and the responsibilities of influence will endure in the minds of a watchful, sometimes unforgiving public.
The story of Salman Khan’s tweet and its aftermath continues to generate overwhelming feelings among citizens, blending disappointment, anger, and unresolved questions about the future. As the dust settles on this particular online storm, the broader national conversation remains fraught with intensity, as millions look not just at the actions of public figures but the very fabric of social unity and justice in difficult times.
What unfolds next in the Salman Khan saga—whether an official statement emerges or further controversy arises—will hinge on both the actor’s response and the evolving public sentiment. In the shadow of tragedy and ongoing conflict, this episode stands as a vivid illustration of the uneasy space celebrities occupy in a hyper-connected, emotionally charged world, and how a single tweet can rapidly escalate into a national flashpoint for discussion and division.
