Suraj Pal Amu, Haryana Bharatiya Janata Party's chief media co-ordinator has resigned from his position. Amu made headlines when he declared a Rs10 crore award for anyone who beheads Deepika Padukone and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
The resignation comes a week after Amu was called in by party leaders and Haryana chief minister, Manohar Lal Khattar for a meeting.
Amu sent out shockwaves through the country when he offered the bounty for the portrayal of Padmavati in Bhansali's upcoming period film. Announcing the award, Amu had said, "Want to congratulate Meerut youth for announcing Rs5 crore bounty for beheading Deepika, Bhansali. We will reward the ones beheading them, with Rs10 crore, and also take care of their family's needs."
He had also threatened actor Ranveer Singh of physical harm, saying,"If you don’t withdraw your statements, we will break your legs and make you hold them."
Amu was booked by the Haryana police, but not taken into custody for his threats. He was later summoned by his superiors for a meeting with Haryana chief minister, Manohar Lal Khattar.
However, the chief minister refused to meet him, resulting in Amu speaking out against Khattar, too. "I want to request prime minister Narendra Modi to talk to Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and ask him that why they have insulted the Rajput society delegation that came here today. The chief minister had himself given an appointment to Karni Sena members and left without meeting them. Why didn't he meet people who had come to meet him from Rajasthan? If you want to oust us from party, go ahead but don't insult us," Amu had said.
The party high command seems to have taken him up on the offer. The film, Padmavati, continues to be surrounded by controversy. A parliamentary plan has now summoned director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief, Prasoon Joshi, to offer an explanation regarding the film.
Several chief ministers of states across the country have announced a ban on the film's screening in their states. The film's release has currently been indefinitely delayed.