Mumbai: Filmmaker and social activist Ashoke Pandit on Thursday filed a written complaint to the Juhu police, asking them to register an FIR against actor Richa Chadha for allegedly “mocking and insulting our security forces, especially those who laid down their lives in Galwan Valley fighting terrorists”.

The matter began after Chadha reacted on Twitter to a statement attributed to Northern Army Commander Lt General Upendra Dwivedi. The officer was quoted as saying, “We r fully prepared to take back PoK from Pakistan. We r waiting the orders from govt. We will complete the operation quickly. Before that if Pakistan is violating. . . ” Chadha responded, “Galwan says hi.”

A section of social media users promptly criticized her comments as “mocking the Indian Army and belittling the sacrifice of the jawans” in the 2020 Galwan skirmish between India and China. One Supreme Court lawyer called for her arrest.

Later on Thursday, the actor deleted the “controversial” post and apologized with another tweet. “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 apologize and also 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 in 1960s. As a Lt. Col. he took a bullet in the leg in the Indo-China War in the 60s. My Mamaji was a paratrooper. It’s in my blood. 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.” Chadha tagged a lawyer in the post.

Meanwhile, among those who objected to her comment was actor Akshay Kumar. He tweeted, “Hurts to see this. Nothing ever should make us ungrateful towards our armed forces. Woh hain toh aaj hum hain.”

Complainant Ashoke Pandit tweeted, “I appeal to all the members of film & TV industry to come forward and condemn Richa Chadha’s mockery against our brave jawans. Your silence will send a wrong signal to the nation at large. The anger against our industry then becomes justified.”

A segment of right wing protesters called for the boycott of Chadha’s upcoming movie ‘Fukrey 3’.

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Actor Richa Chadha tweeted an apology after being slammed by social media users for posting about the 2020 Galwan clash, where several Indian Army soldiers lost their lives. On Wednesday, the actor reacted to Northern Army Commander Lt. General Upendra Dwivedi’s statement that the Indian Army is ready to execute orders like taking back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). Reacting to it, Chadha wrote on Twitter, “Galwan says hi (sic).”

Following backlash, the actor tweeted: “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 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 (sic).”

She added, “A whole family is affected when their son is martyred while saving the nation, I personally know how it feels (sic).”