Siddharth apologises to ‘champion’ Saina Nehwal for controversial tweet amid massive backlash – ‘Cannot justify my tone and words’

Amid massive backlash and being called sexist for his remarks against badminton player Saina Nehwal, actor Siddharth has taken to social media to apologise. In an open letter on Twitter on Tuesday, he called Saina his champion, and said he was trying to make a joke but it 'didn't land'.

Siddharth wrote, “Dear Saina, I want to apologise to you for my rude joke that I wrote as a response to a tweet of yours, a few days ago. I may disagree with you on many things but even my disappointment or anger when I read your tweet, cannot justify my tone and words. I know I have more grace in me than that. As for the joke… If a joke needs to be explained, then it wasn’t a very good joke to begin with. Sorry about a joke that didn’t land.”

He further wrote in his statement, “I, however must insist my word play and humour had none of the malicious intent that so many people from all quarters have attributed to it. I am a staunch feminist ally and I assure you there was no gender implied in my tweet and certainly no intent to attack you as a woman. I hope we can put this behind us and that you will accept my letter. You will always be my Champion. Honestly, Siddharth.”

Dear @NSaina pic.twitter.com/plkqxVKVxY

— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) January 11, 2022

Siddharth, in his now-deleted original tweet, had responded to Saina Nehwal’s tweet as she was condemning PM Narendra Modi’s security breach in Punjab recently. He was slammed by thousands on the platform including National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma.

Also Read: NCW terms Siddharth’s ‘subtle cock’ tweet against Saina Nehwal as misogynistic and outrageous; demand legal action