Padmavati row: DK Shivakumar seeks protection for Deepika

Karnataka Energy Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday said he would write to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking protection for Bollywood star Deepika Padukone in the wake fringe groups publicly threatening her over the release of her film Padmavati.

Shivakumar took to Twitter to express his outrage on BJP office-bearer from Haryana, Surajpal Amu, reportedly announcing a bounty of Rs 10 crore for Deepika Padukone’s head.

“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,” Shivakumar said in a series of tweets. “BJP must apologise and make sure intimidation doesn’t happen.”

Several fringe groups have publicly threatened to cause bodily harm to Deepika, including “chopping her nose off.” In the wake of protests, the December 1 release of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed Padmavati has been postponed. Padukone is the daughter of former All England Open champion Prakash Padukone and completed her education in Bengaluru.

Karnataka  Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said recently that the state government will not impose a ban on the release of the movie, and said steps will be taken to maintain law and order.

“I appeal to all Indians, especially women & artists to speak in one voice against such elements & uphold our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms. If anyone has objections, they must approach the CBFC. Instead of doing so, what gives these people the right to threaten artists?” Shivakumar said. “These sort of threats, especially towards women, are yet another sign of growing intolerance and bigotry in the country.”

Shivakumar also wondered if this was the way the BJP showed respect towards women, and called for immediate action to be taken.