MUMBAI: Television serial Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chashma's actor Munmun Dutta aka Babita Iyer on Sunday created quite a stir on social media when she used an offensive casteist slur, in one of her Instagram videos. 

In the video, Dutta says she has used lip tint on her cheeks because she wants to look good and not like a 'bhangi' for appearing on YouTube. The use of this term when referring to a member of any scheduled caste is considered offensive and is also punishable according to a ruling by the Supreme Court of India. 

As soon as Dutta posted the video, netizens came down heavily on social media slamming the actor for using 'casteist slur' and very soon hashtag #ArrestMunmunDutta began trending on Twitter. 

After coming under scrutiny for the comment she made, Dutta on Monday apologised for using a casteist slur blaming the 'language barrier' for her ignorance. In a post, she said, "This is in reference to a video that I posted yesterday wherein one word used by me has been misinterpreted. It was never said with the intent to insult, intimidate, humiliate or hurt anyone's feelings."

"Because of my language barrier, I was genuinely misinformed about the meaning of the word. Once I was made aware of its meaning I immediately took the part down. I have utmost respect for every single person from every caste, creed or gender and acknowledge their immense contribution to our society or nation," she wrote.