Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Nov 20: Popular Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone, who hails from the city and got her education here, and who has donned the lead role in Sanjay Bansali's latest venture, 'Padmavati', is facing threat from certain groups which are angry at the alleged twisting of historical facts by the movie makers. State energy minister D K Shivakumar, who has come to her rescue, said on Monday November 20 that he would be writing to the chief minister, seeking protection to Deepika.

The minister also came down heavily on Surajpal Amu, said to be a BJP leader from Haryana, for announcing reward of ten crore rupees to anyone chopping off Deepika's head. Expressing anger at this development, Shivakumar, in a series of tweets, condemned the BJP leader for making this announcement against a lady who hails from Karnataka and who happens to be the daughter of a well-known and respected sportsperson.

"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. Is this BJP's culture & the way they show respect towards women? Immediate action should be taken (sic)," he said.

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.

Is this BJP's culture & the way they show respect towards women? Immediate action should be taken.

— DK Shivakumar (@withDKS) November 20, 2017

If anyone has objections, they must approach the CBFC. Instead of doing so, what gives these people the right to threaten artists?

These sort of threats, especially towards women, are yet another sign of growing intolerance & bigotry in the country.

— DK Shivakumar (@withDKS) November 20, 2017

I will write to @CMofKarnataka to offer protection to @deepikapadukone. BJP must apologize & make sure intimidation doesn't happen.

I appeal to all Indians, especially women & artists to speak in one voice against such elements & uphold our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.

— DK Shivakumar (@withDKS) November 20, 2017

Legal action by filing a case must be taken by Haryana Government against the BJP Spokesperson who issued such threats.

— DK Shivakumar (@withDKS) November 20, 2017

It may be recalled that Deepika also was threatened by a group of cutting her nose off. Bending under pressure by protesters, release of Padmavati, has been deferred from the scheduled date of December 1. It may be recalled that state home minister,Ramalinga Reddy, had stated that the state will not ban the release of the said movie and that law and order would be maintained.

Shivakumar has appealed to all the people of the country including women and artists to come out in the open in support of freedom that has been guaranteed by the constitution. He felt that if anyone has some reservations about the movie, they are free to approach Central Board of Film Certification. He said that posing threats to artistes is not acceptable, adding that they represent growing intolerance and bigotry in India.

The minister, while questioning whether this is the way in which BJP respects women, has asked immediate action to see that law is respected.