On January 6, Tamil actor Siddharth attacked ace Badminton player Saina Nehwal with a crass, sexually derogatory comment. He said, “Subtle cock champion of the world… Thank God we have protectors of India. Shame on you #Rihanna.”
In her tweet, Saina had condemned the security lapse in Punjab during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ferozepur.
Netizens trolled Siddharth for his apparent ‘sexist’ remark on the Olympic medallist. Some even called him ‘misogynist’ for his use of innuendos and said the comment was not made in good taste.
Now, Siddharth has responded to the criticism, saying that nothing derogatory was meant. “‘COCK & BULL’ That’s the reference. Reading otherwise is unfair and leading! Nothing disrespectful was intended, said, or insinuated. Period (sic),” he tweeted.
The National Commission for Women has also sent Siddharth a notice over the tweet. The statement read:
“The National Commission for Women has come across a post of Indian actor Siddharth using lewd comments on Twitter on the post of Ms. Saina Nehwal. The comment is misogynist and outrageous to the modesty of a woman amounting to disrespect and insult to the dignity of women on social media platforms.
“The Commission condemns such lewd and inappropriate remark made by the actor and has taken suo motu cognizance in the matter. Chairperson Rekha Sharma has written to the Director-General of Police Maharashtra to immediately investigate the matter and register FIR under relevant provisions of the law. The Commission has sought prompt and strict action against him for using indecent language for women on social media.
“Taking serious note of the offense, Chairperson Ms. Sharma has also written to Resident Grievance Officer, Twitter India to immediately block the actor’s account and take appropriate action against him for posting offensive remarks on Ms. Nehwal’s post thereby, outraging her modesty and insulting her right to live with dignity.”
Siddharth is known to voice his thoughts on social media has often been the target of trolling. But that hasn’t stopped him from expressing his thoughts without fear.
(With Inputs from agencies)