Adampur, October 9: TikTok star Sonali Phogat, who generated buzz for being fielded as a BJP candidate in the upcoming Haryana assembly polls has now apologised for her controversial remarks regarding the chanting of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ slogans.
Tendering an apology for calling those who don’t chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ as ‘Pakistanis’, Sonali Phogat said that she was merely trying to make the youth understand that one should show respect for the nation by chanting the slogan.
“I am a daughter of Balsamand. When I said Bharat Mata Ki Jai during the rally here, some of the boys present did not repeat it. I asked ‘did you come from Pakistan?’ I apologize if anyone’s feelings are hurt by my saying so,” Sonali Phogat said in her apology video.
What is the controversy?
BJP’s Adampur candidate and TikTok sensation Sonali Phogat on Tuesday asked a group of people if they were from Pakistan when they did not chant ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ at her rally in the constituency.
“Pakistan se aaye ho kya? Pakistani ho kya? Agar Hindustan se aaye ho to Bharat Mata ki Jai bolo. (Have you come from Pakistan? Are you Pakistanis? If you are from India chant ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’),” she told a few people in the crowd at the rally who remained silent after she asked the audience to raise the slogan.
The rally was held in Balsamand village in Adampur in Hisar district.
Phogat (40) then repeated her chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.
Turning to that section in the crowd again, on her right, she said, “I feel ashamed that people like you too are Indians, who would not chant ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ for petty politics.”
In a video of Phogat’s purported outburst, which went viral on social media, she is seen further telling them, “Those who cannot say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, their vote has no value”.
“Shame on those who cannot chant ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai.”
Tiktok sensation to BJP candidate
TikTok star Sonali Phogat, who regularly shares videos of her lip-syncing Bollywood songs on the video-sharing app, is busy campaigning in Adampur these days.
After the BJP had announced her candidature, she said, “I am thankful to the party leadership for giving me a chance to serve the Adampur constituency.”
Sonali is pitted against Congress veteran Kuldeep Bishnoi.
The Haryana assembly elections will take place on October 21 and results will be announced on October 24.
