Veteran actor Om Puri condemns Pakistan artist ban, ends up insulting soldiers

New Delhi: Clearly, Bollywood is divided in their opinions about whether to ban or not to ban Pakistani artists. On one hand, we have Salman Khan who believes in supporting the talent and on the other, we have singer Abhijeet who supports the ban. However, recently another veteran Bollywood actor has surfaced with his own version, and to say that it’s kind of surprising would be an understatement. Actor Om Puri, in a recent live TV channel debate, while trying to defend art ended up insulting Indian martyrs. And obviously, his statements haven’t gone down too well with a lot of people. During the programme, while talking about Indian soldiers, he said, “Who had asked the soldiers to join the army? Who told them to pick the weapons?” Prepare 15-20 human suicide bombers in India and sending them to Pakistan for the blasts, he further suggested. He went on, “Do you want India-Pakistan enmity to turn like Israel and Palestine, and fight for ages?" India is home to crores of Muslims, there is no point in proving them for war, he said and added that several Indians have their relatives staying across the border and vice-versa, how can they fight a war with their cross-border families.

"मैंने उनको थोड़े ही फाॅर्स किया कि फौज में जाओ - ओम पुरी बारामूला में शहीद हुए जवान पर बोलते हुए" @abpnewstv @KanchanGupta pic.twitter.com/Mh1YNVvMzQ

— DynastyCrooks (@DynastyCrooks) October 4, 2016

Soon after the show was aired, the internet users criticise him for his regressive and harsh opinions. After the show, on Twitter, Om Puri started trending and many people slammed him.  

Dear #OmPuri ji. Mai aapki bahut izzat karta hoon. Lekin kal tv per desh ke sainik ke baare mein aapki baat sunkar bahut DUKH hua. #VerySad — Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) October 4, 2016

I wonder if #OmPuri will be ok if his son dies in a road accident & police says "Hum ne kaha tha kya gaadi chalane ko?".#OmPuri — Emma i love you???? (@PerpeChul) October 4, 2016

 

What a shame Ompuri! Heard him on tv yesterday and I couldn't believe my ears What a disgrace! just lost all respect as an actor. #OmPuri — Malini Awasthi (@maliniawasthi) October 4, 2016

 

Very depressing and sad statement by #ompuri ji. Real heroes are the one who fights for the country. — GURU RANDHAWA (@GuruOfficial) October 4, 2016

 

Om Puri Crossed All Levels And Ashamed #IndianArmy By His Comment, "Who Asked You To Join Army?"#OmPuriSaySorry #PakBeatenAgain pic.twitter.com/OQYQ4tsJ4x — Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadejaaaa) October 3, 2016

 

Shame on you #OmPuri Just for cheap publicity & paki artist you are making fun of our martyr soldiers. Ppl like u should kick out 4rm India https://t.co/BFEK13l35I — RK #IndianArmy (@rk_dot_indian) October 4, 2016

 

Dear #ompuri ji, send suiside bombers to Pak? really??? and then do what? become another Pak??? You just contradicted your own statements... — Mrigank Shekhar (@MrigShekh) October 4, 2016

 

Shame on you Mr. Puri... You lost everything today.... #OmPuri — Raman Bansal (@Raman121289) October 4, 2016