Renowned Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah has found himself embroiled in a heated controversy after making statements claiming that Sindhi is no longer spoken in Pakistan. The comments, which were made during recent promotions of his web series Taj: Divided By Blood, sparked a wave of criticism and led to a strong backlash from the Pakistani community.
Taking to his official Facebook page on Sunday, Shah once again issued an apology to the Sindhi-speaking population of Pakistan, acknowledging his mistake and expressing regret for any offence caused. Shah wrote on Facebook, "Okay, okay. I apologise to the entire Sindhi-speaking population of Pakistan who I seem to have deeply offended by my mistaken opinion."
Speaking on the matter further, he continued, "I admit I was ill-informed but is it necessary to crucify me for that? “Let him who is free from…” as Jesus said. Actually, I’m quite enjoying being called ‘ignorant’ and ‘pretend intellectual’ after many years of being mistaken for an intelligent person. It’s quite a change!"
This is not the first time that the actor has faced backlash for his comments on the Sindhi language. In an earlier Facebook post on June 8, he addressed the controversies surrounding his remarks and admitted his errors, stating, "Two completely unnecessary controversies seem to have erupted over things I've said recently. One regarding my misstatement about the Sindhi language in Pakistan. I was in error there." He also clarified his remarks regarding the relationship between the Marathi and Farsi languages in the same post.
Shah's controversial statement regarding the status of Sindhi in Pakistan did not sit well with Pakistanis, who were quick to correct the actor and express their disappointment. Many Pakistanis took to social media to call him out, labelling him "ignorant," while expressing their pride in the Sindhi language and its significance in the country.
Pakistani actor Mansha Pasha, who hails from a Sindhi background, took to Twitter to express her disagreement with Shah's claims. She tweeted, "As a proud Sindhi, who speaks the language within her household, I beg to differ." Pakistani actor Yasir Nawaz also joined the criticism and shared a video of himself lip-syncing to a Sindhi song, showcasing his support for the language.
As a proud Sindhi who speaks the language within her household, I beg to differ. https://t.co/6XXWaUXRtv
— Mansha Pasha (@manshapasha) June 6, 2023
Shah's comments, response, and level of backlash - all highlight the importance of cultural sensitivity. However, it is also a lesson, perhaps, in the importance of owning up to one's mistake. The entire matter requires nuance, given that an entire community was mistakenly overlooked by the actor. However, given that the actor has apologised twice, it will be interesting to note if forgiveness is on the cards.
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