'3 words dragged into controversy': Richa Chadha apologises for 'Galwan says hi' tweet

Bollywood actress Richa Chadha has apologised for her controversial tweet on the 2020 Galwan valley clash, amid huge backlash on social media. In the now-deleted tweet, Richa had reacted to Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi's statement that the army is “fully prepared to take back PoK”.

Sharing the statement, Richa tweeted: 'Galwan says hi'. The tweet snowballed into a row with the BJP condemning the actress for “mocking the sacrifice of our soldiers at Galwan”. Several Twitter users slammed the actress for the “insensitive and shameful” tweet.

The actress deleted the tweet and issued a statement in which she apologised for hurting the feelings of soldiers. She said that three words were dragged into a controversy, and shared about members of her family who have served in the armed 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 say that it would sadden me if even unintentionally my words have triggered this feeling in my brothers in the Fauj of which my own Nanaji has been an illustrious part.” As a Lt. Col, he took a bullet in the leg in the Indo-China war, in 1960s. My Mamaji was a paratrooper. It's in my blood,” he said.

She further said: “A whole family is affected when their 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.”