UK police to probe Pak-born actor’s anti-India rant

The British police on Monday said they would investigate a Pakistani-born actor's anti-India rant on social media as a possible hate crime even as the ‘Coronation Street’ star apologised for the "unacceptable" language.

Marc Anwar, who was sacked from one of Britain’s longest-running TV soap operas on Sunday, after a series of "racially offensive" tweets, will be investigated by Greater Manchester Police.

"On Sunday, police received a report of a hate crime. Police have launched an investigation and inquiries are ongoing," a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said.

However, the 45-year-old, who played a key Muslim character of Sharif Nazir on 'Coronation Street', apologised for his Twitter rant on Monday. "I would like to offer my sincerest apologies to anyone that I may have offended with my tweets on Friday evening and especially people from India," he said in a video apology.

"This was never my intention and the language was unacceptable. I feel that I have let a lot of people down, my family, my friends and my former colleagues. This I very sincerely apologise for," he said.

"On Friday, I saw on news, children being pulled out of rubble, people being pelted with pellets, women mourning their dead in Kashmir. This upset me very deeply and in a moment of madness I ranted out. I vented my anger," the actor said.

"Again, the language that I used, I sincerely apologise for. But my feelings were very sincere for the people of Kashmir. And I hope that everyone that I have offended can find it in their hearts to forgive me," he further said.