Khushbu in soup over Cong remark, apologises

Khushbu in soup over Cong remark, apologises

Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com

Chennai:15.10.2020  

Actor-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar on Wednesday apologised for using the words “mentally retarded”.

On Wednesday, a day after joining the BJP, Khushbu called the Congress a “mentally retarded” party, which cannot think for itself. Mental health activists criticised her for denigrating psychosocial disabilities while criticising the Congress.

“Apologies. I should not have said that,” the actor told TOI. “It was a response to the Congress to what they said about me being non-brainy and thus easily brainwashed by my hubby,” she explained.

She had made the remark when reporters at Chennai airport asked her about Congress leaders’ allegation that she was brainwashed by her husband to join the saffron party.

On Wednesday, the Tamil Nadu Association of the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers filed a complaint with the St Thomas Mount police station against the actor for her remark denigrating people with disabilities. TARATDAC issued a statement condemning the for her statement. “We have filed a complaint in St Thomas Mount police station today. The actor is residing in Raja Annamalaipuram police station limit. So, we will file a complaint against her in that police station. We have also asked the office bearers of our district units to file complaints in their respective area,” general secretary of the association S Nambirajan told TOI.

“In her attempt to portray her political opponents in a poor light and to humiliate them, she has intentionally insulted persons with disabilities,” S Nambirajan said in a statement Such an intentional insult constitutes an offence under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. “We request police to register a case under the act and take suitable action,” he further said. December 3 Movement has demanded that the actor tender an apology for her remark and asked her to refrain from using such terminology.

Stating that she had struggled with mental health concerns in her own family, Khushbu said, “I am terribly sorry for the incorrect use of a couple of phrases in a moment of hastiness, deep distress and anguish. I am disappointed by the inadvertent distress that I have caused many, equally I am now determined to ensure that I do not repeat this ever, whatever the motivation. I also dedicate myself to ensure that the voices of those with psychosocial disability are valued and heard, as they should be.”

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