COURTESY INDIAN EXPRESS
In a shocking revelation, the Punjab unit of Hindu right-wing party Shiv Sena announced on Wednesday a ‘reward’ of INR0.1 million to anyone who slaps Bollywood actor Aamir Khan for his remarks on the growing intolerance in India.
“Any person who will slap Aamir Khan will get INR0.1 million for each slap from the Shiv Sena,” Rajeev Tandon, Shiv Sena Punjab chairman, announced.
The announcement was made during a protest staged by the party outside hotel MBD Radisson Blu in Ludhiana where Aamir is staying for the shooting of his upcoming film, Dangal.
“We give an opportunity to the manager and employees of the hotel and also the team of his film to slap Aamir and get INR0.1 million from us. The courageous and patriotic persons who will slap Aamir Khan in Ludhiana will get INR0.1 million reward per slap from us,” Tandon said.
Sena workers also blocked traffic in front of the hotel and shouted slogans against the actor and even burnt his photographs.
Many quarters in India have criticised the actor after he said he was ‘alarmed’ by incidents of increasing intolerance in the country. He had further added that his wife, Kiran Rao, had even suggested that they leave India.
Speaking to the Indian Express, the manager of marketing and communications of the hotel, Manav Inder Singh Guram said the actor was not in the hotel when the protest took place.
“We have complete coordination with the police and they are being updated on the situation. The hotel employees have also been told to remain extra vigilant to avoid any suspicious person reaching near Aamir’s room. The actor was not in the hotel when the protest took place. The number of police personnel at the hotel have been increased from four to eight,” he said.
Rupinder Kaur Sran, assistant commissioner of police (Ludhiana west), said a quick response team consisting of 15 policemen, along with force from Sarabha Nagar police station, is patrolling near the hotel.
Meanwhile, sources said Aamir would leave Ludhiana by late Wednesday or Thursday morning.
