12th June 2023,Mumbai: Renowned actor Naseeruddin Shah has recently found himself embroiled in an unnecessary controversy after making a claim that Sindhi is no longer spoken in Pakistan. However, following the backlash from social media users, particularly from the Sindhi-speaking community, Shah has issued a sincere apology to the entire Sindhi-speaking population of Pakistan.
In a post shared on his official Facebook page, Shah expressed remorse for his ill-informed statement, stating that he deeply hurt the Sindhi-speaking people with his incorrect opinion. Admitting his mistake, he questioned whether it was necessary to punish him for it and referred to a quote by Jesus, “Let him who is free from…,” emphasizing his transformation from being misunderstood as a knowledgeable person to embracing labels of ignorance and a pretend intellectual.
This is not the first time Naseeruddin Shah has faced criticism for his remarks on languages. In a Facebook post dated June 8, he acknowledged making errors and clarified two controversial statements. He specifically mentioned his inaccurate comment about the Sindhi language in Pakistan. Additionally, he clarified his comments regarding the connection between Marathi and Farsi.
During interviews for the second season of his web series Taj: Divided By Blood, Naseeruddin Shah discussed the languages spoken in Pakistan, stating that Sindhi is no longer prevalent. However, his assertion received strong backlash from Pakistanis, who promptly corrected the actor, emphasizing that Sindhi is indeed one of the frequently spoken languages in the country. Social media was flooded with comments highlighting Shah’s ignorance on the subject.
Mansha Pasha, a prominent Pakistani performer, took to Twitter to express her disagreement with Shah’s statement. Being a proud Sindhi herself, she stated that she speaks the language within her household, contradicting the actor’s claim. Furthermore, Yasir Nawaz, a Pakistani actor, shared a video on social media lip-syncing to a Sindhi song, showcasing the continued popularity and significance of the Sindhi language in Pakistan.
Naseeruddin Shah’s apology reflects his realization of the impact of his words and the unintended offense caused to the Sindhi-speaking community. The incident serves as a reminder of the importan