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Rape remarks: IOA may drop Salman as goodwill ambassador

Salman was quoted as saying in an interview before his departure for International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) that "when I used to walk out of the ring after the shoot" (of his upcoming movie 'Sultan' in which he is playing the role of a wrestler), "I used to feel like a raped woman. I couldn't walk straight".

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Bollywood Sultan star's intemperate remark has done him in. In a swift move, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has threatened to drop him as goodwill ambassador of the Indian contingent for the Rio Olympics if an immediate "public apology" for his irresponsible 'rape' comment doesn't come through.

Salman was quoted as saying in an interview before his departure for International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) that "when I used to walk out of the ring after the shoot" (of his upcoming movie 'Sultan' in which he is playing the role of a wrestler), "I used to feel like a raped woman. I couldn't walk straight".

IOA's joint secretary and India's chef-de-mission for Rio Games, Rakesh Gupta, on Wednesday took serious note of his insensitive comment and said that "his comments as goodwill ambassador would send wrong message to all the sportspersons in the country".

Gupta, in fact, has been trying to establish contact with the 50-year-old actor, but has not been successful so far. Salman is in Spain for the awards ceremony, where he is performing.

"He shouldn't have used this analogy to describe his shooting schedule. He should have given a different answer or cited some other example. This way he has hurt the image of Indian sports. This statement will have an adverse effect with the Rio Olympics fast approaching," Gupta told dna, adding: "He should immediately apologise for his remark."

However, dna has learnt from another senior IOA official that Salman's name has already been dropped from the list of invitees who would be present during the Indian contingent's send-off ceremony in the third week of July.

"It has been conveyed to Salman's PR team (IOS)," the official said on condition of anonymity.

The other two goodwill ambassadors, AR Rahman and Sachin Tendulkar, however, will be present during the send-off ceremony.

Controversy from beginning

It must be mentioned here that Salman's appointment as goodwill ambassador some time back itself sparked massive uproar in the sports circles with many present and past Olympians, including wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and sprint legend Milkha Singh, raising fingers over IOA's decision.

"The apologies have so far come from his family members, but not from the actor himself, which is very sad. In fact, we were planning a function with him next week which has now been put on hold for his insensitive remarks.

He has created an unnecessary controversy at the wrong time. If we will invite him for the official send-off, then no one would be interested in asking questions to the Rio-bound athletes. Everyone would be looking for his reaction," the IOA senior official said.

IOA's senior vice-president Tarlochan Singh, on the other hand, also condemned Salman for creating this unnecessary controversy. "Why he wants this controversy to linger on? This is affecting his image only. One should be bold enough to accept his mistake if he has said such thing. It's not about a celebrity like Salman, but no one should make such remark for any woman," he said.

For the record, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has already demanded an explanation and public apology from Salman within seven days, while Maharashtra State Commission for Women has summoned the film star to appear before it on June 29 at 2 pm.

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