Bigg Boss fame and YouTuber ‘Hindustani Bhau’ aka Vikas Phatak & his aide were arrested for ‘instigating’ students in the ongoing Maharashtra student protest. His aid was identified as Ikrar Khan. The 41-year-old YouTuber and his 25-year-old aide were produced before the Bandra Magistrate court and reportedly will be remanded till February 4. The police had arrested Phatak and Khan for instigating students and orchestrating riots that took place in Dharavi where several hundred students blocked the roads and reacted violently. The students took to the roads in protest of the Class 10 and 12 exams and demanded a cancellation of the same on the account of the ongoing pandemic. Reportedly, Phatak aka Hindustani Bhau had uploaded a video on Instagram where he asked students to “peacefully” protest.
The Facts of the Matter
In August, 2020, Bigg Boss 13 contestant Vikas Phatak aka Hindustani Bhau’s Instagram account was temporarily suspended after he flouted the community guidelines of the platform. Known for his fiery monologues filled with expletives, Phatak had shared a video in which he thrashed people who spoke about Hindu Gods in a light manner. He also added that law must be taken in hands if one disrespects God.
Since then, Phatak has established himself as a polarizing figure on Instagram who passes controversial statements that evokes extreme responses on both the ends of the spectrum. Riding high on the popularity wave, the YouTuber recently shared a video on Instagram which has gotten him in some trouble.
Hindustani Bhau’s New Controversial Video
On February 1, Phatak was arrested by the police for ‘inciting’ students in the ongoing student protest in Maharashtra. Reportedly Phatak had shared a video in which he had told students to “peacefully” protest against the government’s decision to go ahead with the 10th and 12th offline exams. In his call to protest, Phatak asked students to protest outside the residence of Varsha Gaikwad, the State Education Minister.
Several hundred students took the call to protest seriously and blocked the Dharavi roads. Some of them even reacted violently in their opposition towards the government’s decision. Regarding the same, Phatak, and his aide Ikrar Khan were arrested for ‘instigating violence’ among students.
Also Read: Tejasswi Prakash Wins “Bigg Boss” Season 15 Leaving Behind Pratik Sehajpal
What Did Hindustani Bhau Say at Court
After being produced at the Magistrate Court, Phatak sought the permission to explain himself. “I made the video and gave a call to students to come to the protest, but some miscreants committed violence. There is no student involved. They caught one man with me (Khan), but he is not a student. No organisation or political party is behind me. I am ready to undergo any punishment you give if it’s proven that I am associated with any group,” he was quoted saying in an Indian Express report.
The “Unconditional Apology”
Phatak’s lawyer claimed that his client is unconditionally apologetic and is ready to bear expenses caused due to the violence at the protest. Phatak’s lawyer also sought a short custody for his client.
Meanwhile, Ikrar Khan claimed that he had made his way from Masjit Bunder to Dharavi. At Dharavi, Ikrar claimed of seeing a huge crowd and added that he went to see what the ordeal was. “Some people were pelting stones. I was next to them and the police caught me,” he reportedly quoted.
Also Read: Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst Dies at 30 After Jumping from 29th Floor of Manhattan Skyscraper
Phatak Charged For Rioting, Unlawful Assembly
Phatak has been charged under multiple IPC sections including Section 353 (Assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty), Section 332 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), sections pertaining to unlawful assembly, and sections pertaining to rioting. He is also charged under sections of IPC for violating COVID-19 protocol.
For Latest Updates Follow Us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
