Actor Siddharth, who is known to be vocal about his political opinions, said that he has been receiving rape and death threats for the past 24 hours and that he has handed over the phone numbers to the cops. In his Tweet, the actor added that the threats were not only issued to him, but also to his family members.
The actor has supposedly been receiving threats from the BJP after he criticised the Centre over Covid vaccination. Siddharth had condemned the party for trying to woo votes by promising free vaccination for all.
He wrote, “My phone number was leaked by members of TN BJP and @BJPtnITcell. Over 500 calls of abuse, rape and death threats to me & family for over 24 hrs. All numbers recorded (with BJP links and DPs) and handing over to Police. I will not shut up. Keep trying @narendramodi @AmitShah.” He also shared screengrabs of social media posts, where his number was leaked and in which people were directing others to attack him.
“This is one of many social media posts by BJP TN members leaking my number yesterday and telling people to attack and harass me. "Ivan inimela vaaye thirakka koodathu" (this fellow must never open his mouth again) We might survive Covid. Will we survive these people?,” he wrote. He said he was given police protection following the complaint but that he would 'give up this privilege.'
The BJP, has however, denied the allegation. Tamil Nadu BJP media wing president ANS Prasad alleged that the actor is seeking 'cheap publicity' by making baseless allegations against his party and top leaders.
Siddharth's fans, however took to Twitter to express their solidarity with him. The hashtag #IStandWithSiddharth is currently trending.
The 42-year-old actor debuted in ace filmmaker Shankar's Tamil movie Boys and has starred in many films including Aamir Khan-starrer Rang De Basanti.
Among those who stood up for him is actress Shreya Dhanwanthary, who played the role of a journalist in the web series Scam 1992. She wrote, "This is outrageous (sic)." Actress Parvathy Thiruvothu wrote, “With you @Actor_Siddharth. No backing down! There is an army of us with you! Stay strong and lots of love to the fam.”
