Dalit leader threatens to shoot Richa Chadda, announces reward of ₹ 2 crores for cutting actress’ tongue

The Richa Chadda-starrer Hindi film Madam Chief Minister has been mired in many a controversies of late. One reason for the controversy is that the poster of the film depicts the film’s Dalit heroine Tara (played by Chadda) holding a broom. Several Dalit leaders have objected to this, and have said that the poster hurts the sentiments of the Dalit community by limiting their identity to a broom.

Another controversy attached to the movie is that the film is believed to be inspired by the life of Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) supremo and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati. While the makers of the film have not substantiated this claim, they have also been criticised for not giving the lead role to a Dalit actress.

However, Bhim Sena chief Nawab Satpal Tanwar has gone one step ahead while raising his objections on the film.

He has announced that he will award an “Ambedkar Shield” made of gold worth ₹ 2 crores to anyone who cuts Richa Chadda’s tongue. In a Facebook Live session, he demanded that the film Madam Chief Minister be banned. He also alleged that the film engages in character assassination of the BSP leader by twisting her life-story and portraying her in a vulgar and indecent manner.

Tanwar also found the film’s dialogue “Main kunwaari hoon, tej kataari hoon, lekin tumhaari hoon” (“I am a virgin, I am a sharp dagger, but I am yours”) objectionable, saying that it insults the BSP chief. He warned the film’s makers that if the movie was released in cinema theatres, film posters would be torn and theatres would be burned. He also announced a reward to anyone who kidnaps the film’s director Subhash Kapoor and “leaves him naked on the road”. Further, Tanwar went on to threaten the actress’ life, saying that he would shoot her.

In response to these threats, Richa Chadda has tweeted “Hum nahi darte” (“I am not afraid”).