Saffron leader declares reward for ''beheading'' Siddhu

An Uttar Pradesh saffron leader on Monday declared a reward of Rs five lakh to whosoever ''beheads'' Punjab minister and former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu.

Sidhu's visit to Pakistan to attend Imran Khan's swearing in ceremony on the day former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's last rites were performed has earned the ire of the BJP and other Hindu outfits.

Sanjay Jat, president of Bajarang Dal's Agra district unit, said that Sidhu has shamed the entire country and that he must be arrested immediately and tried for treason.

''I will give a cash reward of Rs five lakh to whosoever beheads Siddhu,'' Sanjay said.

Sanjay was seen flashing a cheque of the same amount in a video that went viral on social media.

He also said that his organisation will garland Siddhu with shoes if he visits Agra.

A senior police official in Agra said: ''We do not have the video... We will try to ascertain its authenticity as and when we get it... Appropriate action will be taken in this regard.''

Saffron outfits burnt effigies of Sidhu in different parts of the state on Monday in protest against his Pakistan visit.

Police had a tough time dispersing the protesters.

The former cricketer has said that he will give a ''strong'' reply to those opposing his Pakistan visit at an appropriate time.