To criticize Saina Nehwal's political stand, actor Siddharth goes derogatory
What's the story
How amusing is it that whenever a woman is part of an argument, personal comments on her body and character become the go-to insults?
Actor Siddharth (who predominantly works in Tamil and Telugu films) did something similar recently.
In order to criticize noted badminton player Saina Nehwal's political stand, he had to use a double entendre comment on Twitter.
Here is what happened.
Beginning
Nehwal condemned PM convoy's alleged security breach
The Olympics bronze medalist had recently condemned the alleged security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab.
The PM's convoy was stuck for about 20 minutes as protesters blocked the road.
"No nation can claim itself to be safe if the security of its own PM gets compromised," Nehwal had tweeted, calling the "cowardly attack" an act by "anarchists."
Involvement
Siddharth had opposite stand, requesting probe into claims of 'attack'
Siddharth, who has often made his anti-government stand known, commented on the incident, too.
The actor asked how could anyone be sure that "it was actually the PM and his convoy in Punjab?"
"It could also be khalistanis or foreign elements or paid actors... I saw the same needy actors in other events before. Needs to be investigated."
Then, he quoted Nehwal's tweet.
Problematic
To counter Nehwal's opinion, Siddharth went all coarse and sexual
"Subtle cock champion of the world... Thank God we have protectors of India," the Navarasa star wrote in reply to the badminton ace's tweet.
Notably, the word "cock" is vulgar slang for penis and here, the actor seems to have used its other, informal meaning of a shuttlecock to create a distasteful double entendre.
He hasn't tried to explain if he meant anything else.
Twitter Post
Here is what Siddharth tweeted against Nehwal's post
Subtle cock champion of the world... Thank God we have protectors of India. 🙏🏽
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) January 6, 2022
Shame on you #Rihanna https://t.co/FpIJjl1Gxz
Latest
Netizens have widely criticized actor's comments, he's trending on Twitter
The tweet, made on January 6, is still up and now gaining traction.
Many netizens tagged the National Commission for Women to take action against the actor's comment, while others have resorted to crass comments against Siddharth.
Some Twitter users pointed out it was hypocritical of the actor to be criticizing the Bulli Bai app and its creators when he himself made insensitive comments.
Update
NCW chairperson asked Twitter to 'immediately block' Siddharth's account
Taking cognizance of the matter, NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma wrote to Twitter India, asking them to "immediately block" the actor's handle.
As per the body's Twitter account, letters have been written to Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu police as well.
Nehwal also reacted, telling News18: "I'm not sure what he meant. I used to like him as an actor but this was not nice."
Twitter Post
'Nothing disrespectful was intended, said or insinuated'
"COCK BULL"
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) January 10, 2022
That's the reference. Reading otherwise is unfair and leading!
Nothing disrespectful was intended, said or insinuated. Period. 🙏🏽