Rakesh Bedi has issued a public apology after an old interview resurfaced showing him using the word ‘Harijan’. The clip drew backlash from Azad Samaj Party’s Kailash Jaiswar. The actor clarified he was unaware the term is banned and expressed regret
Rakesh Bedi
Rakesh Bedi, currently basking in the success of Dhurandhar, has found himself in controversy after an old interview resurfaced. The clip drew attention for his use of the word ‘Harijan’, leading to backlash from Azad Samaj Party’s Mumbai State President Kailash Jaiswar. The actor has since issued a public apology, clarifying his intent.
Rakesh Bedi issues apology
The actor landed in trouble when one of his old interviews surfaced and came to the notice of Azad Samaj Party's Mumbai State President Kailash Jaiswar, when the actor had used the word ‘Harijan’, which is banned for use.
Now, Bedi has publicly apologised for it. The Dhurandhar actor said, "Namaskar friends, I am Rakesh Bedi. A few months ago, I posted a video in which I said that in our country, Bheem Rao Ambedkar ji worked a lot for Dalits, for Harijans and for people of backward society. He worked very hard for their upliftment. So now I have come to know that it is prohibited to use the word Harijan in our country. And I said it with a good intention that he worked very hard for Harijans and Dalits."
कैलाश जैसवार ने फिल्म अभिनेता व धुरंधर फिल्म के जमील जमाली "राकेश बेदी" से माफी मंगवाईं. अभिनेता द्वारा दिए गए आपत्तिजनक बयान - डॉ. बाबासाहेब आंबेडकर जी 'हरिजनों' के लिए लड़ाई लड़ते रहे, इस बयान पर मैंने राकेश बेदी से विडियो संदेश के जरिए माफी मंगवाईं।@AzadSamajParty मुंबई pic.twitter.com/obxYiB92ql
— Kailash Jaiswar (@kailashJai_ASP) April 5, 2026
He added, "But if my use of the word Harijan has offended a person or a society, then I apologise for that. I did not say it on purpose. I did not know that it was prohibited."
Earlier, Jaiswar had also shared a voice note on social media in which he could be heard speaking to Bedi over the phone. During the conversation, he explained to the actor that the term he used is banned and inappropriate, and requested that he apologise publicly.
More about Rakesh Bedi
The actor left a lasting impression as Jameel Jamali in Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The film, directed by Aditya Dhar, stars Ranveer Singh, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Danish Pandor, and Sanjay Dutt among others in pivotal roles. Dhurandhar: The Revenge follows an undercover Indian intelligence agent who continues to infiltrate Karachi's criminal syndicates and Pakistani politics while avenging the 26/11 attacks and confronting bigger threats.
So far, the film has shattered several records and has even grossed over Rs 1000 crore domestically. It is likely to beat records of films like Baahubali and Pushpa.
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