Bilawal Bhutto puts 2 million rupees bounty on his head for anti-fashion remark, says he 'crossed the line'

 Bilawal Bhutto puts 2 million rupees bounty on his head for anti-fashion remark, says he 'crossed the line'

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said India had officially crossed the line after the BJP leader reportedly announced a 2 million rupees bounty on his head for his remarks against Prime Minister Modi.

India Today Web Desk

India Today Web Desk

New Delhi, UPDATED: 20 December 2022 15:41 IST

Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (AFP photo)

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By India Today Web Desk: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday lashed out at the ruling BJP after the saffron party leader reportedly announced a Rs 2 million bounty on his head for his inappropriate remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Zardari doubled down on his "butcher from Gujarat" comment on PM Modi, saying his remarks were based on "historical facts" but the BJP interpreted it as a "personal insult".

“A member of Mr. Modi's party announced a bounty of Rs 20 lakh (Rs 2 crore) on my head. So I don't think the best way to refute the fact that Mr. Modi is the 'Butcher of Gujarat' is to take such extreme steps,” he said.

Responding to a query, Zardari also downplayed a statement by fellow minister Shazia Marri, in which she threatened India with "nuclear war".

However, he said he considered the BJP leader's threats against him to be "crossing the line".

"I think you crossed the line when you officially announced money for the assassination of the foreign minister of your neighboring country," said Pakistan's foreign minister.

According to media reports, Uttar Pradesh BJP leader Manupal Bansal said he would give a reward of Rs 2 million to anyone who beheads Zardari.

WHAT BILAWAL BHUTTO SAID

Responding to Foreign Minister S Jaishankar's "Osama killed in Pakistan" remark at the United Nations, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attacked Prime Minister Modi over the 2002 Gujarat riots.

“(I want to tell India that Osama bin Laden is dead but the butcher from Gujarat is alive and is the Prime Minister of India). He (PM Modi) was barred from entering this country until he became the Prime Minister. This is the RSS Prime Minister and RSS Foreign Minister. What is RSS? RSS takes inspiration from Hitler's SS,” Zardari said.

The BJP called Zardari's personal comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi "very shameful and derogatory" and staged nationwide protests to vent its grudge against the Pakistani minister. BJP leaders and workers burnt effigies of Zardari and raised anti-Pakistan slogans during the demonstrations.