A leader of the BJP's youth wing has courted controversy by announcing a bounty of Rs1.1 million for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's head after the police in her state used batons to disperse a rally raising slogans in praise of deity Rama on Hanuman Jayanti.

The threat was issued by Yogesh Varshney, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM). "Mamata government beat up people. If someone was wearing a red shirt or a red pant, they were beaten up brutally by the police. I don't understand...Mamata Banerjee organises Iftar party, she argues for the Muslims. I want to ask her are Hindus not human? "If they had any humanity, they wouldn't have beaten up like this.If anyone brings me her severed head, I will give that person Rs11 lakh," Varshney said while criticising the police action on the rally. 

On Tuesday, police in Suri in West Bengal's Birbhum district used batons to disperse a rally which shouted slogans in praise of "Shri Ram". The police had set up an iron barrier which those in procession tried to break, prompting the law-enforcers to make a lathicharge. At another place on the outskirts of Suri, thousands of people had ignored a police ban to participate in a rally taken out under the aegis of an organisation observing Hanuman Jayanti.

The Suri Police had on Sunday told the organisers of Bir Hanuman Jayanti that it would not allow holding of any rally or meeting on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the organisers had asked the police to allow the rally after assuring that they would not carry arms. However, the police did not budge from its stand. West Bengal general secretary of BJP Sayantan Basu had on Tuesday alleged at a press meet at the party office that "The district administration at first had accorded permission, but later withdrew it on order of the TMC bosses."

Meanwhile, parliament on Wednesday strongly condemned a statement by a BJP youth wing leader announcing a Rs1.1 million bounty to anyone who beheads West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, with the Centre saying the state government was "free to take legal action" against him.

The issue was raised in both the Houses by Trinamool Congress members, with all major political parties and the government condemning the statement.

In the Rajya Sabha, Deputy Chairman P. J. Kurien said the state government can register an FIR and take action. Raising this issue during Zero Hour in the Upper House, TMC member Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said a BJP youth activist has publicly described West Bengal Chief Minister as a "demon" and announced Rs1.1 million bounty for anyone who brings the head of chief minister. Roy asked the House and the government to condemn this incident, saying "a constitutionly elected CM has been described as demon." He said the Centre was trying to "unleash a reign of terror" in West Bengal in the name of religion and other things.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said: "I strongly condemn such type of statements. State government is free to take appropriate legal action on this issue". "On such people action can be taken under the the law.

An FIR should be registered. Law should take its own course," the Deputy Chairman said, adding that "you raised this issue. Minister has condemned it...No need of discussion on that". BSP supremo Mayawati termed it as a "serious matter" and said "BJP should not just condemn the statement, but should also take action." Other opposition parties including Congress, Left and SP, also supported TMC on this issue and condemned the incident.

Jaya Bachchan (SP) said there was a need to take "aggressive" steps for protection of women. "You can protect cows and women are facing atrocities," she added. "How dare somebody talk like this", especially against women chief minister paticularly when women are feeling insecure. "Is this the way you are going to protect women," Bachchan asked. BJP member Roopa Ganguly said she too was a woman and "I was beaten up by 17 goons of TMC in front of policemen. The chief minister who is also a women should answer this."

In the Lok Sabha too, the BJP youth leader's bounty offer was condemned by all sides, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar saying such a statement by anyone was completely wrong and the government strongly condemns it. "She is an elected chief minister and due respect must be given to her. We strongly condemn it," Kumar said.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said there have been many unpleasant incidents in the political discourse in recent past and everyone must work together to improve it. "This is complete wrong. All sides must exercise restraint," she said.

Raising the issue soon after the House assembled to take up the day's business, TMC member Saugata Roy said "Mamata Banerjee is not only an elected Chief Minister but a former member of this House too. It is a serious and alarming behaviour and the House must condemn it. She is a grassroot leader and government must take action on it."

Fully supporting Roy, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said his party fully associated with the sentiment and such incident must not happen anywhere. "A strong message should go from the government against such behaviour and action must be taken against the guilty," Kharge said.

Source: Timesofoman