"This type of people is the most dangerous for society."
Indian TV star Munmun Dutta is facing severe backlash for using an inappropriate caste slur in one of her videos.
In a video uploaded to her YouTube channel, Dutta says that she wants to look good in her videos, and not like a “bhangi”.
The term ‘bhangi’ was used by upper castes in the 19th century, to denote members of the Dalit caste employed in sanitation and manual scavenging.
Munmun Dutta’s video has since gone viral, and her comment has prompted angry responses from netizens and the Dalit community.
People were quick to point out that the term is offensive to members of the Scheduled Caste community.
Using the term is also a punishable offence, as per a ruling by the Supreme Court of India.
Therefore, netizens and activists are demanding Munmun Dutta’s arrest under the SC/ST Act.
The hashtag ‘#ArrestMunmunDutta’ began trending on Twitter as a result.
https://twitter.com/HansrajMeena/status/1391711127835340801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1391711127835340801%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmumbaimirror.indiatimes.com%2Fentertainment%2Ftv%2Ftaarak-mehta-ka-ooltah-chashmah-munmun-dutta-uses-casteist-slur-in-video-netizens-demand-her-arrest%2Farticleshow%2F82522544.cms
Taking to Twitter on Monday, May 10, 2021, one angry user uploaded Dutta’s video and said:
“We are demanding @MumbaiPolice please take a strict action against her in SC/ST act.
“She is using inappropriate word for a particular society and hurt our sentiment. #ArrestMunmunDutta.”
Another said:
“Munmun Dutta,who is suffering from such ill mankind, should be arrested immediately.
“This type of people is the most dangerous for society. @moonstar4u #ArrestMunmunDutta.”
Following the backlash, Munmun Dutta quickly deleted the part of the video containing the slur. She has also issued a formal apology.
— Munmun Dutta (@moonstar4u) May 10, 2021
Uploading a statement to Twitter on Monday, May 10, 2021, Dutta said:
“This is in reference to a video that I posted yesterday, wherein one word used by me has been misinterpreted.
“It was never said with the intent of insult, intimidate, humiliate or hurt anyone’s feelings.
“Because of my language barrier, I was genuinely misinformed about the meaning of the word.”
“Once I was made aware of its meaning I immediately took the part down.
“I have the utmost respect for every single person from every caste, creed or gender and acknowledge their immense contribution to our society or nation.
“I sincerely would like to apologise to every single person who have been unintentionally hurt but the usage of the word and I sincerely regret for the same.”
Munmun Dutta began her career as a model.
However, she shot to fame for her role as Babita in the popular TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.
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