New Delhi: Uorfi Javed recently called out popular writer Chetan Bhagat for calling her a ‘distraction’ for boys. Bhagat later clarified that he'd been quoted out of context. She also shared a series of his chats that had gone viral a few years ago during the #MeToo campaign. He was then accused of sexual misconduct by author and yoga instructor Ira Trivedi.
Chetan Bhagat has now reacted to the screenshots of the leaked chat shared by the Instagram influencer. The writer took to Twitter and wrote, "Have never spoken to/chatted with/met/ known someone where it’s being spread that I have done so. It’s fake. a lie. Also a Non issue. Haven’t criticised anyone.And I also think there’s nothing wrong in telling people to stop wasting time on Instagram and focus on fitness and career."
It all started when Chetan Bhagat commented about Uorfi Javed at a literature festival. "Phone has been a great distraction for the youth, especially the boys, spending hours just watching Instagram Reels. Everyone knows who Uorfi Javed is. What will you do with her photos? Is it coming in your exams or you will go for a job interview and tell the interviewer that you know all her outfits? On one side, there is a youth who is protecting our nation at Kargil and on another side, we have another youth who is seeing Uorfi Javed's photos hiding in their blankets," he had said.
Uorfi reacted to his statement by posting a video on Instagram and said "I do not understand the need of mentioning my name at a literature festival. I am not an author. Also, you said the youth is getting distracted by watching my photos. Leave that aside. First, tell me why you, who is double the age of youth, were sending messages to girls half your age? Was that not distracting? Were your marriage and your children not getting affected by it?"
Bhagat also took to his Twitter handle to clarify that he was being unnecessarily questioned for what he had not said.
"I told guys to focus on fitness and their career and not waste their time on Instagram," Bhagat said. "Apparently, that's not OK! So they cut my statement, said it out of context, the headline adding things I never said, and did a click-bait piece with ageism thrown in," he added.