Prakash Raj defends Richa Chadha over Galwan tweet; Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal pay tribute to Indian Army

Bollywood actress Richa Chadha on Thursday triggered outrage on social media after she tweeted, “Galwan says hi,” in response to the Northern Army Commander Lt General Upendra Dwivedi’s statement that the Indian Army is “waiting for orders from the govt (sic)” in reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). As the tweet went viral, netizens expressed their disappointment over the same, calling it “insulting” to the Indian Army and to the martyred soldiers. Since Richa Chadha reacted to Lt. General Dwivedi’s statement over PoK, the 35-year-old actress has been facing criticism on social media, from celebrities to politicians.

 

Chaddha soon deleted the post, however, screenshots of the same have been doing the rounds. The actress later also issued an apology and said it wasn’t her intention to offend anyone. “Even though it can never be my intention in the least, if the 3 words which are being dragged into a controversy have offended or hurt anyone, I apologise and also say that it would sadden me if even unintentionally my words have triggered this feeling in my brothers in the Fauj (army) of which my own Nanaji has been an illustrious part,” the actress said in a statement.

Here’s how the industry has reacted so far:

Reacting to the controversial tweet on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, actor Akshay Kumar was the first celebrity to wade into the controversy saying he is deeply saddened by her “ungrateful” comment. Kumar said the contribution of India’s armed forces should not be overlooked. “Hurts to see this. Nothing ever should make us ungrateful towards our armed forces. Woh hain toh aaj hum hain,” the 55-year-old actor tweeted sharing the screenshot of Chadha’s tweet.

Actor Kay Kay Menon took to Twitter and wrote, “Our brave men & women in uniform, put their life on the line to keep every citizen of our Nation safe & secure! Least we can do is to behold love, respect & gratitude ,in our hearts, towards such valour! (sic).” 

By not directly targeting Chadha, Paresh Rawal praised the Indian Army and wrote, “Indian armed forces. Aap hain to hum hai (we live because you are there).” 

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri shared various tweets criticisng what Chadha has said. In his first tweet, he wrote,”Bollywoodiyas are the first to stand up against establishment, oppression and authority. They are also the first to kneel down in front of Bollywood’s corrupt establishment. But they have cheeks to question our great Army.” In another tweet, he also wrote that he is not surprised at all to see this behaviour because they genuinely feel anti-India and then they ask why people want to boycott Bollywood. 

Actor Anupam Kher also shared Chadha’s tweet and wrote, “Desh ki burai karke kuch logon ke beech lokpriya hone ki koshish karna kayar aur chote logon ka kaam hai. Aur sena ke samman ko daav par lagana… isse zyada sharmnaak aur kya ho sakta hai (trying to become popular among some people by talking badly about your country is the work of cowards and small people. And putting the honour of the army at stake… what can be more shameful than this).” 

The most recent one is Prakash Raj’s reaction to the controversy where he came out in support of Richa and criticised Akshay Kumar. He wrote, “Didn’t expect this from you @akshaykumar… having said that @RichaChadha is more relevant to our country than you sir…” Prakash also supported Richa Chadha and wrote on Twitter, “Yes we stand with you @RichaChadha… we understand what you meant.” 

Richa Chadha’s apology statement also detailed her family’s contribution towards the country’s armed forces, saying her maternal grandfather, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army, took a bullet in his leg during the India-China War of 1962, and her maternal uncle served as a paratrooper.

India and China are locked in a lingering border standoff in eastern Ladakh for over 29 months. The bilateral relationship came under severe strain following the clash in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh in June 2020.

(With inputs from PTI)