National Anthem disrespect: Farooq Abdullah offers apology, says 'sorry, if I offended anyone'

Kolkata: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah who was caught on speaking on his mobile phone while the national anthem was being played, on Saturday offered an apology on the issue. 

"I was standing for the national anthem, but if it offended anyone I am sorry," Farooq Abdullah told ANI. 

The former Union Minister Farooq Abdullah along with several other leaders on Friday had attended the swearing-in ceremony of Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee as West Bengal Chief Minister in Kolkata. While everyone was seen standing in attendance while the national anthem was played after the ceremony, Farooq was seen clearly speaking on his phone. 

On Friday, Abdullah, unfazed by criticism, had told Zee Media that he respect the National Anthem.

Earlier this week, an Indian Army officer asked two journalists to leave an event because they "did not stand up when the Indian national anthem was played and the Indian flag was unfurled".