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'I respect Parliament and the Constitution'
In an interview with CNN-IBN, actor Om Puri explains the controversial statements he made against politicians at Ramlila Maidan recently while expressing his support for activist Anna Hazare's movement against corruption.
On his apology to Parliament
"I have not yet received the notice (on the privilege motion against him in the Lok Sabha). Before apologising, I would like to know for what (I have to apologise). I respect Parliament and the Constitution of India. I'm proud to be an Indian. I'm happy that this agitation was peaceful and had a lot of dignity and I'm proud of that".
'I would love to meet Parliamentarians'
On facing the Parliament
"I would love to try and explain my position in Parliament. I would love to meet Parliamentarians and explain (my stand). If they are still angry, I would like to apologise to them.
It will be my privilege to be there to explain (my statement) to them gently".
On using words like anpadh (uneducated) and gawaar (rustic)
"The word anpadh was in the wrong context. I would like to explain that. When you are emotionally charged, words sometimes come out of your mouth; that happens with politicians. Politicians use wrong words for each other as well".
'I'm not saying all leaders are bad'
"I regret using the word anpadh. I could have said that in a better way. When I started speaking, I was emotionally charged. Anna's health was a major concern to most of us. When I reached Ramlila Maidan, I was asked to speak. I looked at a fragile man who had awakened India.
Since I was emotionally charged, my feelings came out. I appealed to them (Hazare's supporters) more than once that it is a peaceful agitation, keep it like that. I'm not saying all leaders are bad".
'I was not drunk at Ramlila Maidan'
On allegedly being drunk at Ramlila Maidan
"I was shooting in Jodhpur. I was not drunk. The media assumed that because of the way I climbed the steps (to the dais at Ramlila Maidan). I had undergone surgery, so I had to take some support to climb the stairs".
On the sentiment of sab neta chor hain (every politician is a thief)
"My statistics was wrong. I regret that, it was an exaggeration. Why is this agitation (happening) and why is the janta (public) on the streets? I had no reason to become the janta. India is sensible enough.
If Parliament is clean, why did Anna and the masses have to come out on the streets (to protest corruption)? If some (politicians) are corrupt, why aren't the good politicians putting a check on them and getting rid of them?"