Padmavati row: Haryana BJP leader to pray to God so that “good sense” prevails on Khattar

A Haryana BJP leader who announced a Rs 10 crore award to behead Bollywood filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actress Deepika Padukone for their role in Padmavati on Wednesday resigned as the party's Chief Media Coordinator in the state.

Kunwar Surajpal Singh Ammu sent his resignation to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state chief Subhash Barala through a WhatsApp message and urged his to accept it immediately.

In his resignation, Ammu said he was upset with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's "attitude towards the Rajput community". The Chief Minister, according to him, was surrounded by "a few unwanted people and keeping himself away from loyalist party workers".

He said he would pray to God so that "good sense" prevails on Khattar and requested that he be relieved of the party post's responsibility.

A delegation of Rajput leaders led by Ammu on Tuesday visited Haryana Bhawan in Delhi to meet Khattar and request him to fulfil their demand of announcing a ban on "Padmavati" in the state but the Chief Minister refused to meet them.

Rajput leaders said they felt insulted by Khattar.

On November 21, Ammu was booked for issuing threats to Bhansali and Deepika over their movie. But he stood by his announcement of Rs 10-crore reward for "beheading" them.

Ammu said he gave the statements as a "Rajput" and not as a BJP leader.

Ammu also threated to break the legs of actor Ranveer Singh, who plays the role of Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji in the movie. The movie centres around the valour of Rajput queen Padmavati.

Asked if he had received any notice from the BJP for his statement, Ammu told IANS: "No notice has been received. I'll answer if I get one. I am ready to do anything for the welfare for my community."

Police officer Sunil Kumar said the accused would be served a notice soon to join the police probe.

Meanwhile, Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi are to meet a parliamentary panel today to discuss the ongoing controversy over the film.

Dia Mirza appointed UNEP Goodwill Ambassador

Actress-producer Dia Mirza has been appointed UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador for India.

Dia, who is also the brand ambassador for the Wildlife Trust of India, will take up the role to add more weight to her work on raising awareness and seeking solutions for environmental issues that the world, and India in particular, faces, read a statement on Thursday.

"I feel honoured and inspired by this opportunity to work with UN Environment to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.

"Environmental issues will be the defining challenge of this era, and I am committed to helping the UN as a Goodwill Ambassador to do everything I can to provide a better future," said Dia.

She added: "Together, we will continue working towards conservation of nature, tackling climate change and inspiring people to live more sustainably."

As a Goodwill Ambassador, Dia will work with the UN to further spread the message on priority areas including clean air, clean seas, wildlife protection and climate change.

Writers Guild of America West leaders blast Trump

Leaders of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) West have denounced US President Donald Trump for retweeting violent anti-Muslim videos by leaders of a British hate group.

The WGA West leaders said that "the vile display of naked prejudice reached another low" as part of a letter sent to the 10,000 members of the Los Angeles-based guild, reports variety.com.

The letter, which said "First Amendment Under Attack" in the subject line, was signed by WGA West president David A. Goodman, vice president Marjorie David, secretary-treasurer Aaron Mendelsohn, and executive director David Young.

"As the officers and executive director of a union devoted to the well-being of writers, we have watched, appalled, as our current administration tramples on every principle of justice and truth we hold dear," the letter began.

"The question for us, always, is when to speak out. What is the ‘right time' when lies are paraded as truth; when racists are praised for their decency; when the press is derided as ‘fake'; when a child molester is endorsed to smooth the way for an unfair tax cut? If we made a statement each time, we'd be writing to you every day."

The WGA West leaders last blasted Trump by issuing a stinging condemnation of the President for failing to sufficiently condemn white nationalism and neo-Nazis following Trump blaming "both sides" for the violence at a Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, where a woman was killed when a car drove into the crowd and 30 people were injured.

"President Trump legitimises hate speech and violence, and disgraces our nation" the guild leaders said at the time.

with inputs from IANS