Om Puri apologises derogatory remarks against politicians

New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) Facing privilege motion in
Parliament, Actor Om Puri on Monday apologised for making
derogatory remarks against politicians and said he is ready to
appear before MPs if summoned.
The 61-year-old Bollywood veteran also denied that he
was drunk at the time when he made a no holds barred attack on
politicians at Ramlila maidan on Friday where Anna Hazare was
on the 11th day of his fast.
Puri said he regretted the two words he used--
'naalayak' (incompetent) and 'ganwar'( a word often used to
describe a backward and an illiterate person)-- for his
description of the political class, admitting they were
inappropriate.
"I got to know about the privilege motion from the
media. I am yet to receive a notice. I believe in our
Constitution and the parliamentary system. If I am called I am
ready to go before them and clarify. I will wait and see what
happens," Puri told PTI.
"I was very emotional and I regret using those words,
which may have hurt some sentiments. I could have opted for
better words. I feel I spoke like a man on the street," he
said, adding, "I was not drunk. I need support to climb stairs
because of an old surgery."
Puri admitted that he spoke like a "man on the street",
claiming he was very emotional at that time. The outburst came
in the heat of the moment on seeing Hazare's condition and the
kind of political response to his agitation for a strong
Lokpal bill, he added.
Members of both Houses of Parliament have given
Privilege notices against Puri and also Team Anna member Kiran
Bedi for using "derogatory and defamatory" language against
politicians and the matter is under consideration of the
Chair.
"I have never been in a controversy in the past 35 years
of my career. I have been a part of meaningful cinema and
through my films I have tried to raise social issues," Puri
said, adding he has had an impeccable record.
Puri was one of the Bollywood actors who visited Ramlila
ground to extend support to Hazare.