Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey, who is riding high on the huge success of his latest film 12th Fail, has found himself at the center of a controversy as a now-deleted tweet that he shared in 2018 has gone viral once again on social media.
The said tweet is related to the gangrape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua, but it also includes a cartoon depiction of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita.
In the cartoon, Sita is depicted as saying, “I am so glad I was kidnapped by Ravan and not by your bhakts!”
Alongside the cartoon, Massey wrote, “Half-baked potatoes and half-baked nationalists will only cause a pain in the gut. #KathuaCasr #Unnao #Shame.”
The tweet has triggered a wave of criticism towards Massey for what many perceived as disrespectful towards the Hindu community.
Realising the damage his tweet may cause, the actor promptly deleted it and issued a public apology to the Hindu community.
In context to one of my Tweets way back in 2018, I’d like to say a few words:
It was never my intention to hurt, malign or disrespect the Hindu community.
But as I reflect in hindsight about a Tweet made in jest, I also release the distasteful nature of it. The same could…
— Vikrant Massey (@VikrantMassey) February 20, 2024
Apologising, the actor on Wednesday said, “In context to one of my Tweets way back in 2018, I’d like to say a few words: It was never my intention to hurt, malign, or disrespect the Hindu community. But as I reflect in hindsight about a Tweet made in jest, I also release the distasteful nature of it. The same could have been said without adding the cartoon which was published in a newspaper. And I’d with utmost humility like to apologise to each and everyone who has been hurt. As you all by now know, that I hold all faiths, beliefs, and religions with the highest possible regard. We all grow up with time and reflect upon our mistakes. This was mine. Regards.”
Stay tuned to this space for more updates and reveals.
