Sirsa slams Udta Bollywood, refuses to backtrack

Disgusted that his state Punjab was derided by Bollywood as a drugs haven in the film "Udta Punjab", Akali Dal MLA Manjinder S. Sirsa on Wednesday refused to backtrack from his diatribe against B-town actors, including Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor, for flaunting their "drugged state" at a party.

Slammed on the social media for accusing the Bollywood stars of being "drugged" at the party and sharing a video of the same on Twitter, Sirsa wrote: "Neither I know @milinddeora ; nor his family. I didn't share this video to harass anyone but to expose Bollywood stars who are themselves into drugs yet defamed our youth calling them drug addict!! I would never apologise to these drug addicts."

In his earlier tweet, Sirsa had made a jibe with reference to the Shahid-starrer "Udta Punjab", which dealt with drug abuse: "#UDTABollywood - Fiction Vs Reality. Watch how the high and mighty of Bollywood proudly flaunt their drugged state. I raise my voice against #DrugAbuse by these stars. RT if you too feel disgusted @shahidkapoor @deepikapadukone @arjunk2@Varun_dvn @karanjohar @vickykaushal09."

Though the actors refrained from reacting to the tweet, Congress leader Milind Deora refuted Sirsa's claims. "My wife was also present that evening (and is in the video). Nobody was in a 'drugged state', so stop spreading lies and defaming people you don't know! I hope you will show the courage to tender an unconditional apology," he wrote on Twitter.

The Twitterati too criticised Sirsa for his reaction. "Let them be stoned or drunk. Why does it bother you?" tweeted Ishita Yadav, who is Parliamentary Secretary to Pilibhit MP Feroze Varun Gandhi.

Sirsa replied: "They are public figures!! They are called 'stars' & they enjoy many privileges. Don't they lecture us on every issue from their verified Twitter handles? So today they are answerable to every Indian for their drug-effected stoned look as visible in this video."

Yadav hit back: "Were you there? Was someone you know there? You can't go around attacking people based on conjecture."

However, Sirsa refused to pause: "Since @IshitaYadav is so furiously defending the celebs & advocating their innocence in drugs... Let us all request @karanjohar @shahidkapoor @Varun_dvn @arjunk26 @deepikapadukone to get DOPE TEST done & share reports on Twitter. Pls prove me wrong by dope test report Ishita Ji."

Another Twitter user Saniya Sayed posted: "Nothing's wrong with this video, Sirsa. Btw what are you smoking?"

Some Twitter users, however, did come out in Sirsa's support. "I support u Sirsaji & open challenge to those in the video to submit for an independent drug test as drugs remain in the body for at least a few days. I can bet none of them will submit to a drug test!" tweeted a user. IANS