Protest erupts in Jodhpur over Saif Ali Khan's Padma award

Jodhpur, Jan 28 (ANI): Wildlife activists and the members of the Bishnoi community in Jodhpur are venting their anger over Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, an accused in blackbucks killing case, on being honoured with the Padam Shri award.

As a mark of protest for dishonouring their sentiments, the activists of Community for Wildlife and Rural Development (COWRD) and Bishnoi Tiger Vanyajeev Evam Paryavaran Sansthan (BTVPS) burnt an effigy of the actor.

"Saif Ali Khan and some other actors had attacked Blackbucks in our area. The case is still under trial in the court. But now the President of India has conferred the accused with a civilian honour-the Padma Shri and this has hurt our Bishnoi community's sentiments. We want the government to take back the honour from the actor and this protest is in connection with the same." said Sukhram Bishnoi, an advocate, Rajasthan High Court.

The protesters are planning to write to the central government against the decision of awarding Khan. In case the honour is not withdrawn from the actor, the activists plan to start a nation-wide protest. (ANI)