Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt's recent comments about no longer feeling the same sense of peace in India have triggered a political row, with Indian National Congress leaders rallying behind the remarks on Monday, 5 October 2026, even as Dutt himself clarified the statements were part of a scripted, light-hearted exchange on a talk show.

Congress Leaders Weigh In

Congress leader Nana Patole said Dutt had 'spoken the absolute truth' and alleged that citizens were being killed in broad daylight in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). 'He has spoken the absolute truth that whether in states or countries, wherever there is a BJP government, people are being killed in broad daylight. People are not safe, and therefore he has made the BJP, Central Government and state governments aware of this. It should be taken seriously,' Patole said.

Patole added that if citizens feel unsafe, the government is duty-bound to act. 'If people are not safe in the country, then the common person in the country also has the right to speak because governments are formed by people's votes. This government has come through the electoral process, so if it has come through the people's mandate, it should take cognisance of this and immediately stop the goondaism that has increased in the country and the states,' he said.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also endorsed Dutt's sentiments, arguing they reflected genuine personal anguish rather than scripted dialogue. 'It came from his heart. He was under pressure, TADA had already been imposed on him, and he had spent considerable time in jail, so he took it back. If it was scripted, then how did such a truthful statement come out of his mouth?' Tiwari said, invoking Dutt's legal past as context for his remarks.

Sanjay Dutt's Original Remarks and Clarification

The controversy stems from Dutt's appearance on Shekhar Suman's talk show Shekhar Tonite on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, where the actor spoke about the country's prevailing atmosphere. 'The people of this country are so lovely. There should be peace here. I can't feel that peace in our country anymore. We Indians are large-hearted people, and we are hospitable. We have given so much, and we should always remain that way. I pray to Shivji that those days come back soon,' Dutt had said.

On Sunday, Dutt took to X to walk back the political reading of his words. 'I would like to clarify that it was never my intention to hurt, offend, or disrespect the sentiments of any individual, community, or institution,' he wrote. He explained that his remarks were part of a scripted, humorous conversation inspired by the spirit of films like Munna Bhai — particularly the philosophy of 'Gandhigiri', which promotes love, warmth, and goodwill.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Urges Contextual Reading

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey offered a more measured take, urging observers to understand the remarks in their original context. 'Sanjay Dutt is a film actor. He said in a podcast with Shekhar Suman that he does not find the kind of peace in India that he wants. Now, he has clarified the context in which he made the statement and whom he was referring to,' Dubey said.

Dubey referenced Dutt's iconic Munna Bhai persona and said India continues to move towards a brighter future despite the many challenges it has faced since independence. 'India has struggled a lot during these 80 years. So, this is our own country. Those who feel that something is wrong here can simply go somewhere else,' Dubey added, notably striking a tone at odds with the Congress position.

What This Signals

The episode is notable for several reasons. It illustrates how celebrity statements — even those made on entertainment platforms and later disavowed — can be rapidly appropriated for political messaging. This is not the first time Dutt's personal history, including his conviction under the Arms Act and time in jail, has intersected with political debate. Congress's decision to cite his remarks as evidence of a broader law-and-order failure under BJP governments reflects an ongoing opposition strategy ahead of state election cycles. The BJP is yet to formally respond to the claims made by Patole and Tiwari. How Dutt himself navigates the continued political use of his clarified remarks remains to be seen.