Group offers ₹1crore for ‘burning Deepika’

Amid the controversy overSanjayLeelaBhansali’sfilm ‘Padmavati’, a fringe group on SundaytargetedactressDeepika Padukone,announcingareward of ₹1 crore for anyone ‘burning her alive’.

Makingtheannouncementin Bareilly,YuvaKshatriyaMahasabha chief Bhuvneshwar Singh claimed the film ‘maligns the character of Rajput queen Padmavati’.

The film has been facing protests over alleged distortion of historicalfactsanditsreleasehas been deferred.

Without giving details of how the group will raise ₹1 crore for the bounty, Singh said, “The movieisadirectattackonourtraditions. Padukone who lives a cocktail life cannot understand the sacrifice of our‘mother’Rani Padmavati. Wewill give ₹1 crore to anyone who immolates her to make her realise the pain our mother felt.”

“We have not seen the movie but are well aware that it will malign the name of our mother Padmavati,” said Singh whose group claims to have over 5,000 members in UP.

Beforemakingtheannouncement,thegroupmembersburned effigies of Padukone, who plays legendaryRajputqueenPadmavati in the movie, and Bhansali at Damodar Swarup park here.

They also took out a march to the collectorate and submitted a memorandumtothedistrictmagistrate demanding a ban on the release of the movie.

Asked about Bhuvneshwar Singh’s threatening remarks, superintendent of police Rohit Singh Sahjawan said: “We have sought a report from the policemen on duty. Thereafter, action will be taken.”

Moreover,morefringegroups have issued threats to the film’s crew. A Rajput youth from Meeruthasannounceda₹1crore bountyforbeheadingPadukone and Bhansali.

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