The country on Friday woke up to the news of a new controversy brewing in the TV industry. However, it was no breakup or celebrity marriage, but rather a Supreme Court case charge against a reality TV show judge for molesting a minor from their show.
Supreme Court Lawyer Runa Bhayan filed a complaint against singer and reality TV show judge Papon for kissing a minor girl. The lawyer put forward a video, from the Facebook live the kids with their mentors did, in which the entire incident can easily be seen. The singer is seen celebrating Holi with the contestants of the TV reality show. Towards the end of the video, he kisses a minor girl after applying colours on her face. The complaint has been filed with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and it states that singer has committed “sexual assault on the minor girl”.
Here the copy of the complaint filed by the lawyer.
#Delhi: Supreme Court advocate Runa Bhuyan files a complaint against singer Papon for 'inappropriately kissing a minor girl' who is a contestant on a reality TV show. pic.twitter.com/uqTT10YpiD
— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018
In the complain, Runa has requested “an inquiry under section 7 and 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act, 2012.”
The story took a sharp u-turn as soon as the official statement from the father of the minor came out. In his statement, the father said, “Papon sir is a mentor and a father figure to my daughter and has always encouraged her to pursue her dreams. He doesn’t differentiate amongst the children who are here and gives them equal guidance on pursuing their dreams. What you saw in the video is not intentional. It was just a moment of affection that is being portrayed otherwise,” as reported by The Indian Express.
Along with the father, even the TV channel, that telecasts the show, came forward with their statement on the complaint and issue. However, their stance was completely opposite to that of the father.
We've always focused on safety, security & well-being of contestants participating in our shows. We've always adhered to NCPCR & Essel Vision Productions Ltd has taken all precautionary measures under NCPCR& other laws: &TV on #Papon allegedly 'inappropriately kissing minor girl'
— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018
We believe in nurturing talent with utmost sensitivity while we provide them platform to showcase their aptitude. We're extending complete support to all parties who are impacted by this incident & stand by them to help them through this situation: &TV on singer #Papon
— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018
Papon’s lawyer has a completely different stance on the entire issue. While talking about the Papon controversy on Times Now, the lawyer said, “#Papon gave a peck on the girl’s lips, it is guru-shishya parampara, what is wrong in that?? Consent of child is not important.”
Papon has also released a statement over the entire controversy.
Singer #Papon issues statement over allegedly 'inappropriately kissing a minor girl', says 'my humble request to everyone, when you do come across this matter is to just pause & think about how much harm this does to the people involved' pic.twitter.com/vnuZsOcwUF
— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018
This certain case has been in news for almost an entire day now, and here’s how people on Twitter are reacting to the story.
"#Papon gave a peck on the girl's lips, it is guru-shishya parampara, what is wrong in that?? Consent of child is not important."
– Papon's lawyer Gaurang Kanth tells Times Now
I CANNOT believe this. Just cannot.— Sanyukta (@dramadhikari) February 23, 2018
Ugh. Why don't men understand boundaries? Why do they have to be told "ye kya ho raha hai?" for them to realise they're doing something wrong? He wouldn't have stopped if he hadn't realised he was being recorded. #Papon https://t.co/T8L3K5CXah
— Sanyukta (@dramadhikari) February 23, 2018
The child doesn't seem cool about it. And no matter how much of a father figure your mentor is, he is not supposed to do that. It's shocking how people come out in support of their celebrities blindly.
The act is tactless and perverse.
Stop making your celebrities demigods #Papon— Alohamora (@Alohamora5) February 23, 2018
If anybody behaved with my daughter the way #Papon did with the teenage girl I would slap him several times in such a way that no one dared behave that way again
— Suchitra Krishnamoorthi (@suchitrak) February 23, 2018
and #Papon shld worry abt his own actions rather than the patriachal shit of trying to worry abt girls reputation. Uff
— Suchitra Krishnamoorthi (@suchitrak) February 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/imMAK02/status/967027147545047040
How does planting a kiss on a minors mouth amount to a #GuruShishya relationship?? one can't violate a minor just because you are her mentor or teacher,it amounts to #sexualassault, let the law take its course ..#Papon ..#arrestpervertpapon
— Saira Shah Halim سائرہ 🇮🇳 (@sairashahhalim) February 23, 2018
My question for @paponmusic & those who think his behaviour is acceptable. How would you feel if a grown man suddenly kissed your 11-year-old daughter on the lips?#TimesUp #Papon
— Asjad Nazir (@asjadnazir) February 23, 2018
#Papon That teen girl should slap him on his face right there in front of everyone….
that would be a real Justice— SHIVAM BHATI 🇮🇳 (@_iamshivambhati) February 23, 2018
Wow! Consent to kiss? On what denomination of stamp paper? People talking about 'consent' probably don't know a minor's consent has no value! #Papon
— Roshogollo (@PplOfIndia) February 23, 2018
Papon is a widely known singer in the industry, and has also been the voice behind songs like, “Moh moh ke dhage” from the film Dum Laga Ke Haisha, “Sun le re” and “Khudse” from the movie Madras Cafe and “Jiyein kyun” from the movie Dum Maro Dum among others.