Is this their culture? K’taka Minister hits out at BJP man’s bounty on Deepika Padukone
Karnataka Energy Minister DK Shivakumar hit out at the BJP on Monday after one of its party men offered a bounty of Rs 10 crore on actor Deepika Padukone’s head.
Shivakumar also tweeted that he will write to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to provide protection to Deepika, who plays the titular role in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film Padmavati.
The film has been vociferous protests since the time it began shooting, with members of the Rajput community claiming that the film portrays the historical figure of Padmini or Padmavati in bad light.
Last week, a Meerut resident had offered a bounty of Rs 5 crore on Deepika’s and Sanjay’s heads. On Sunday, Surajpal Amu, the BJP’s Chief Media Coordinator in Haryana, doubled this figure to offer a Rs 10 crore bounty on the actor and the director.
“Want to congratulate the Meerut youth for announcing Rs 5 crore bounty for beheading of Deepika and Bhansali. We will reward the ones beheading them with Rs 10 crore, and also take care of their family’s needs,” ANI quoted Surajpal as saying.
In his tweets, Shivakumar asked if placing a bounty on a woman’s head was part of the BJP’s culture.
He tweeted, “It is condemnable that a BJP office bearer is placing a bounty of Rs 10 crore on Deepika Padukone, who is from our state and the daughter of one of India's most respected sportsman. Is this BJP's culture and the way they show respect towards women? Immediate action should be taken.”
It is condemnable that a BJP office bearer is placing a bounty of Rs. 10 crore on @deepikapadukone, who is from our state & the daughter of one of India's most respected sportsman.
— DK Shivakumar (@withDKS) November 20, 2017
Is this BJP's culture & the way they show respect towards women? Immediate action should be taken.
I will write to @CMofKarnataka to offer protection to @deepikapadukone. BJP must apologize & make sure intimidation doesn't happen.
— DK Shivakumar (@withDKS) November 20, 2017
I appeal to all Indians, especially women & artists to speak in one voice against such elements & uphold our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.
Shivakumar urged “all Indians especially women and artists” to oppose the stance held by Surajpal and the like, and to uphold constitutionally guaranteed freedoms. He also called for the Haryana government to take legal action against the BJP leader.
CM Siddaramaiah also tweeted, "I condemn the culture of intolerance & hate perpetuated by @BJP4India . Karnataka stands with @deepikapadukone .She is a globally renowned artist from our state. I call upon the CM of Haryana @mlkhattar to take strict action against those holding out threats against her."
I condemn the culture of intolerance & hate perpetuated by @BJP4India .
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) November 20, 2017
Karnataka stands with @deepikapadukone .She is a globally renowned artist from our state.
I call upon the CM of Haryana @mlkhattar to take strict action against those holding out threats against her. https://t.co/d8rahml5MZ
Padmavati, which was due for release on December 1, has been shelved temporarily as the Central Board of Film Certification refused on November 18 to okay the film due to “technical reasons”.
“The film was submitted for certification last week. We examined the documents, as we normally do. It was conveyed to the makers that their application was incomplete. They had to rectify and send it back, we will view it when it comes back to us,” a source in the CBFC told PTI.
Protests against the film have been carried out by Rajput outfits like the Rajput Karni Sena and other right-wing groups across the country, especially in Rajasthan. There have also been a number of violent threats issued against the director and actors involved in the film.