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Bollywood actor Om Puri says sorry for slur on MPs Bollywood actor Om Puri says sorry for slur on MPs
(40 minutes later)
Veteran Bollywood actor Om Puri has written a letter to the speaker of India's parliament apologising for insulting politicians at an anti-corruption rally in August.Veteran Bollywood actor Om Puri has written a letter to the speaker of India's parliament apologising for insulting politicians at an anti-corruption rally in August.
Mr Puri made the comments at Delhi's Ramlila ground when activist Anna Hazare was on a 12-day hunger strike.Mr Puri made the comments at Delhi's Ramlila ground when activist Anna Hazare was on a 12-day hunger strike.
Mr Puri described MPs as "illiterate, rustic and useless".Mr Puri described MPs as "illiterate, rustic and useless".
MPs have protection from insults and parliament sent Mr Puri a notice asking him to explain his comments.MPs have protection from insults and parliament sent Mr Puri a notice asking him to explain his comments.
A spokesman for Mr Puri confirmed to the BBC that the actor wrote a letter to the speaker about a month ago, but refused to divulge the details.A spokesman for Mr Puri confirmed to the BBC that the actor wrote a letter to the speaker about a month ago, but refused to divulge the details.
"We have tendered an unconditional apology," he said."We have tendered an unconditional apology," he said.
The Hindustan Times newspaper reports that the Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is expected to close the case and pardon the actor.The Hindustan Times newspaper reports that the Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is expected to close the case and pardon the actor.
Parliament has the power to summon individuals for a reprimand if they refuse to apologise.Parliament has the power to summon individuals for a reprimand if they refuse to apologise.
'Unhappy with myself''Unhappy with myself'
A string of corruption scandals has angered many Indians and Mr Hazare's campaign had received widespread support and a great deal of media coverage.A string of corruption scandals has angered many Indians and Mr Hazare's campaign had received widespread support and a great deal of media coverage.
Mr Puri had taken the stage and addressed the crowd during Mr Hazare's fast.Mr Puri had taken the stage and addressed the crowd during Mr Hazare's fast.
"Look at the way they [MPs] fight with each other. They throw chairs, mikes at each others," he had said."Look at the way they [MPs] fight with each other. They throw chairs, mikes at each others," he had said.
After his comments were criticised by several MPs, he apologised. After his comments were criticised by several MPs, Mr Puri apologised.
"I am unhappy with myself over two of the terms that I used. The first is 'uneducated' and the second is 'useless'. I agree I could have used better language, but I was caught in the moment and so used those terms," he told the IBN7 news channel."I am unhappy with myself over two of the terms that I used. The first is 'uneducated' and the second is 'useless'. I agree I could have used better language, but I was caught in the moment and so used those terms," he told the IBN7 news channel.
Om Puri has acted in both mainstream and art films in Bollywood.Om Puri has acted in both mainstream and art films in Bollywood.
He has also appeared in several British films, like Jewel in the Crown, Gandhi and City of Joy, and BBC TV's Canterbury Tales.He has also appeared in several British films, like Jewel in the Crown, Gandhi and City of Joy, and BBC TV's Canterbury Tales.
He was awarded an honorary OBE for his contribution to the British film industry in 2004.He was awarded an honorary OBE for his contribution to the British film industry in 2004.