Saif's effigy burnt in Jodhpur

JODHPUR: Launching their agitation to build a consensus against the nomination of Saif Ali Khan for Padma Shri, members of the Bishnoi community,
under various banners, burnt an effigy of Saif on Thursday morning. Many have written to the President requesting reconsideration of the decision.
The Bishnoi Commando Force on Thursday morning burnt an effigy of Saif at Nai Sarak Circle.
General secretary of the Bishnoi Tiger Vanya Evam Paryavaran Sanstha, Ram Niwas Budhnagar said here, "We have requested the President Pratibha Devisingh Patil to withdraw this announcement." In the fax to the President, Bishnoi leaders have brought to her notice the legal proceedings pending against Saif as an accused under Section 9/52 of the Wildlife (Conservation) Act 1972. It has been mentioned that the maximum punishment for this crime is four years imprisonment.
Budhnagar said, "This is an award meant for a person with some outstanding contribution to the cultural, social or national ethos and unfortunately Saif has no merit."
Supporting him, Babulal Jaju, state coordionator for the People for Animals, also condemned the decision. He said, glorification of a wildlife accused like Salman Khan and now Saif Ali Khan and sharing stage with Salman in an event by the tourism minister Bina Kak and home minister Shanti Dhariwal is something which will demorilise those working for the cause of environment and wildlife. Jaju is also going to write to the Union minister for forest and environment Jairam Ramesh condemning such "misdeeds".
Budhnagar has said, "We will continue our protest until the decision is withdrawn by building pressure on the government, but in a Gandhian' style. This fax to President will be followed by a similar fax to the Prime Minister and a delegation of like-minded people to New Delhi."
He said, "We are committed to take this crusade to the national level.