Actress Sonakshi Sinha found herself in the midst of an unfortunate situation after she used the word ‘bhangi’ in one of her recent interviews. Sonakshi has now issued an apology after the Indian Valmiki community staged protest against the actress.
Offended by Sonakshi's reference to their community, they burnt the actress' effigy in Moradabad. Hours after, Sonakshi released a statement, saying that her comments were ‘unintentional’ and ‘un-derogatory’ and meant no harm to anyone.
Sonakshi was asked about her casual airport looks when she said that she's a fan of casual style and that sometimes she's so busy that she doesn’t have time to dress up for airport. “It’s not like I purposely go home and dress up like a ‘bhangi’ [sweeper],” she said.
Sonakshi took to her Twitter to apologize for offending the community as she wrote, “With reference to an interview I did with Siddharth Kanan on July 23, 2019, I place on record that I have tremendous regard and respect for the Valmiki Samaj and all their valuable contributions to our society and country. If any person or community has been hurt by the usage of any word by me, despite it being unintentional and un-derogatory to anyone, I humbly apologise for the same.”
— Sonakshi Sinha (@sonakshisinha) August 4, 2019
Earlier this year, actor Ayushmann Khurrana started a campaign title #Don'tSayBhangi during the release of his film Article 15.