As more groups issued threats against movie star Deepika Padukone, the Karnataka police extended security to her and her family.
Describing Deepika as a "daughter of the Kannada land," Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said those threatening her must be punished.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appealed to his Haryana counterpart, Manohar Lal Khattar, to take strict action against those threatening to maim and kill Deepika.
Deepika plays the lead in the Bollywood extravaganza Padmavati. Some groups are opposing the yet-to-be-released film, claiming it distorts history and shows the eponymous character, a queen, in a poor light. A man in Uttar Pradesh has offered a Rs 5-crore reward to anyone killing Deepika and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. A BJP leader in Rajasthan on Sunday offered to double the bounty.
Minister's letter
The Karnataka government waded into the controversy on Monday. "Deepika and her family need protection and steps are to be taken to ensure they are caused no trouble," Reddy stated in a letter to DIG Neelamani Raju.
Siddaramaiah said he condemned the "culture of intolerance and hate perpetuated by the BJP".
"Karnataka stands with @deepikapadukone. She is a globally renowned artist from our state," he tweeted, expressing shock at Haryana BJP leader Surajpal Amu announcing a reward for Deepika's head.
Groups claiming to represent the Rajput community have publicly threatened to cause bodily harm to Deepika. It began with a leader threatening to "chop her nose off".
Karnataka Energy Minister D K Shivakumar also took to Twitter in Deepika's support. He said he would write to Siddaramaiah to offer protection for Deepika.
Shivakumar said it was deplorable that a BJP office-bearer was placing a bounty on the head of Deepika, the daughter of one of India's most respected sportsmen. Deepika's father, Prakash Padukone, is an international badminton champion. "The BJP must apologise and make sure intimidation doesn't happen," he said. Shivakumar said women and artistes must "speak in one voice" against such threats.
Now working in Mumbai, Deepika grew up in Bengaluru, and her parents continue to live in this city.
Cops guarding flat
Following directions from the state government, the city police have provided security for members of Deepika's family living in Bengaluru.
Her parents Prakash and Ujwala and sister Anisha live on Nandidurg Road. The police have deployed four policemen at their apartment. Two policemen are standing guard near Deepika's grandmother's house in Malleswaram.
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