Richa Chadha's tweet on Galwan irks netizens; actor issues apology
What's the story
Actor Richa Chadha put up a tweet reacting to Northern Army Commander Lt General Upendra Dwivedi's statement that the Army is ready to execute orders such as taking back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Her tweet read, "Galwan says hi," as she shared Dwivedi's statement. By making a reference to Galwan, she irked social media users who accused her of insulting the Indian Army. Here's what transpired.
Context
Why does this story matter?
At least 20 soldiers of the Indian Army were martyred in clashes with China's People's Liberation Army at the Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh in 2020. These clashes took place on June 15-16. China is yet to officially come out with the number of casualties at its end. India and China have been locked in a standoff in Eastern Ladakh ever since.
Statement
Here's what Lt General Dwivedi had said
On Tuesday, Lt General Dwivedi's statement that the Indian Army is ready to take back PoK if orders are given, came in light of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's earlier statement that India's goal is to reclaim PoK. While talking about development works in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Singh said that India will achieve its "goal when we reach Gilgit and Baltistan."
Public apology
'I apologize...' said Chadha on the controversy later
Soon after Chadha was slammed for a distasteful tweet on Galwan, she deleted her previous tweet and put up a public apology. In a fresh tweet, Chadha said, "if the 3 words which are being dragged into a controversy have offended or hurt anyone, I apologize..." She also mentioned that it would sadden her if her words unintentionally hurt her "brothers in the Fauj."
Twitter Post
Read Chadha's full apology here
@BediSaveena pic.twitter.com/EYHeS75AjS
— RichaChadha (@RichaChadha) November 24, 2022
Backlash
Chadha was slammed on the internet for her tweet
Chadha has been facing backlash for her Galwan tweet. Reacting to it, Bharatiya Janata Party's Manjinder Singh Sirsa called it a "Disgraceful tweet" while adding that the Bollywood actor should immediately withdraw her tweet. "Insulting our armed forces is not justified," Sirsa further wrote. Apart from him, many others on the internet also bashed her for mocking the Army.
Complaint
Ashoke Pandit even demanded FIR against Chadha
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit even demanded an FIR against Chadha for her tweet. Pandit tweeted demanding a complaint against the actor for "mocking & abusing our security forces." In a previous tweet, Pandit called Chadha one of the "apologists in the film industry," adding that she mocked the ultimate sacrifice of soldiers in the 2020 Galwan clash between India and China.
Twitter Post
See Pandit's tweet here
I appeal to @CPMumbaiPolice @MumbaiPolice to file an F.I.R against actress #RichaChadha for mocking & abusing our security forces .
— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) November 24, 2022
She has been a regular offender of spreading hate towards nationalist forces. @mieknathshinde @Dev_Fadnavis