Assamese singer Angarag Papon Mahanta, popularly known as Papon, has found himself in the midst of a controversy after he was caught on camera kissing a minor contestant from the TV show The Voice Kids.
The incident came to light when the renowned Assamese singer planted a kiss on the young girl without her consent. The singer has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for kissing the girl, who was being mentored by him in the show.
After seeing the inappropriate show of affection towards the child, a Supreme Court lawyer named Runa Bhuyan filed a complaint against the singer with National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
"I am shocked to see the behaviour of the said singer Angarag Papon Mahanta towards a minor girl where he is seen to be applying colours to a minor girl and inappropriately kissing the said girl. On seeing the video, I am seriously concerned regarding the safety and security of minor girl participating in reality shows across India," Runa Bhuyan was quoted as saying by India.com.
Singer Papon was caught on tape kissing a minor girl without her consent. A Complaint has been filed against singer Papon | @Tamal0401 shares more details pic.twitter.com/9yl0Z4yzTr
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) February 23, 2018
The shocking video that surfaced across social media was reportedly shot during the Holi celebration on the reality singing show. The video uploaded on Papon's official page shows the singer applying colour on the girl's face and then forcibly kissing her without her consent.
Partha Gogoi, Papon's manager, said that the act was not meant to hurt anyone and they do not see any reason to pull down the video, according to a report on Guwahati Plus.
His fans, however, think it is a ploy to malign the reputation of the Assamese singer.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the incident.
Remember, people only rain on your parade because they’re jealous of your sun and tired of their shade.
— PAPON Army (@papon_army) February 21, 2018
We love you @paponmusic ❤❤❤
I have always been sceptical of reality shows involving kids for several reasons.
— iDoc (@drvivarora) February 23, 2018
The allegations of abuse on #papon have only strengthened my opinion.
Respected @paponmusic for your singing ability, but the way you act in front of the camera & behind it so different. Lucky you were caught off guard this time that too in a live stream showing your real side, BTW what you did is known as child sexual abuse! #PervertPapon #papon
— Pratik Kumar Mishra (@ishaan001) February 23, 2018
Papon sir is innocent! Stop trying to malign his reputation. He was only making her kiss his cheek and use your mind before judging anyone or jumping to a conclusion. Watch the vdo neutrally and carefully and notice the angles of their faces!! HE IS A GEM! pic.twitter.com/2y0iOFgTVN
— Huma Shahper (@shahper_huma) February 21, 2018
