I’m guilty and should be punished: Om Puri apologises for comments on army

Facing sedition charges after making alleged ‘insulting comments” on Indian soldiers, actor Om Puri has now apologised and stated that he deserves punishment.

Puri, who was invited for a debate on Hindi film producers’ ban on Pakistani actors following the September 18 terror strike in Kashmir’s Uri, had said: “Did anybody force them (the soldiers) to join the army?”

Speaking to reporters after a police complaint was filed, Puri said, “I am very embarrassed at what I said and I deserve punishment, not forgiveness. I first apologise to his (an Uri attack martyr) family, if at all they will forgive me, I apologise to the whole country, the army. I know it’s not justified that you say so much and then think a sorry will make it right.”

A lawyer on Tuesday filed a police complaint against the 65-year-old actor for his alleged insulting comment on Indian soldiers during a news channel debate the previous day. The cops, however, were seeking legal opinion and probing the matter before registering an FIR on the basis of the complaint.

“I am guilty and I deserve a punishment. I want to be tried by the army, I should be court-martialled. I want a constructive punishment,” Puri said. “The army should teach me how to use weapons and send me on the same site where that brave man was sacrificed himself for the country. I don’t want to be forgiven. I am pleading to the nation I want to be punished.”

There were strong reactions to Puri’s comments. Even his own fraternity condemned him.

Puri is one of the few Bollywood actors who have worked in a Pakistani film - Actor in Law.