Richa Chadha apologises amid backlash over "Galwan Says Hi" tweet, deletes it later

Actress Richa Chadha issued a public apology today for deleting a contentious tweet that appeared to mock a top army commander's call for reclaiming Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) by making reference to the 2020 Galwan conflict with Chinese forces.

"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," Richa Chadha said in her apology tweet.

The actor had previously tweeted controversially on Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi's claim that the army is "always ready" for any order from the government to retake areas of Kashmir that Pakistan has illegally occupied and "would give them a befitting reply."

'Galwan says hi', Richa Chadha tweeted, sharing the commander's statement.

Richa Chadha claimed in her apologetic post that her grandfather, a "Lieutenant Colonel," was shot in the leg during the Indo-China War. "My Mamaji was a paratrooper. It's in my blood. A whole family is affected when a son is martyred or even injured while saving the nation which is made up of people like us and I personally know how it feels. It is an emotive issue for me."

In a video message, the BJP condemned the actor's "Galwan says hi" tweet. "The Army and the armed forces are respected in India and by Indians. We respect the opinions expressed by our army chief. It is regrettable that someone chose to make fun of the army by publishing something on social media, he said. 

Another BJP leader, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, tweeted: "Disgraceful Tweet. Should be withdrawn at the earliest. Insulting our armed forces is not justified."

Several social media users also slammed the actor.

At the Galwan hostilities that erupted in June 2020, twenty Indian soldiers gave their lives in defence of their nation. That incident resulted in the deaths or injuries of around 40 Chinese soldiers and sparked a string of clashes between the two countries.