"I fell on the steps after I was pushed."
Sonu Nigam was manhandled and one of his colleagues was pushed off the stage when fans clamoured for selfies at a music festival in Mumbai.
The singer had been performing in Chembur when the incident happened.
Sonu had been leaving the stage when a man approached him from behind, requesting a selfie.
His team intervened, however, the man pushed one member off the stairs.
Sonu was allegedly pushed. But when Rabbani Khan tried to help the singer up, the man pushed him off the stage.
Rabbani suffered injuries and was taken to hospital for minor treatment before being discharged.
Sonu, who was unhurt, said: “I fell on the steps after I was pushed. Rabbani (Khan) came to save me and was pushed from behind. He could have died.
“I filed a complaint because people must think about it when they force someone to take a selfie.”
Police have filed a case under IPC sections 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others).
The man was identified as Swapnil Phaterpekar. Further investigation revealed that he is the son of Shiv Sena MLA Prakash Phaterpekar.
This has led to some politicising the incident.
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawala targeted former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
He said: “Famous singer Sonu Nigam reportedly attacked by #UddhavThackeray‘s MLA Prakash Phaterpekar’s son and his men!
“THIS HAS BECOME A GUNDON KI SENA. Not the first time such an incident has come to the fore! Earlier a veteran was beaten up! SHAMEFUL! Will UT faction condemn it?”
Singer Sonu Nigam who raised his voice about Azan Loudspeakers attacked by Janab Uddhav Thackeray MLA Prakash Phaterpekar and his goons in music event at Chembur. Sonu has been taken to the hospital nearby. pic.twitter.com/32eIPQtdyM
— Sameet Thakkar (@thakkar_sameet) February 20, 2023
In a video statement, he added:
“The true face of the Uddhav Sena has come to the fore.
“This shows the sense of arrogance, entitlement and also the violent ways pursued by Uddhav faction.”
However, the police has denied any political angle.
“According to the conversation I had with Mr Nigam, nothing seemed intentional.
“It was spontaneous and done by only one person.
“The volunteers present there handled the situation.
“The intention behind the act may be to take a photograph or for media footage. Police will investigate this.”
Meanwhile, Suprada Phaterpekar, a member of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women, said she had organised the festival.
She also said it was her brother who was trying to take a selfie.
She said: “As the organiser of the Chembur festival, I wish to shed light on some facts about the unfortunate incident that occurred at the end of Chembur Festival 2023.
“While Shri Sonu Nigam was being hurriedly ushered off the stage after delivering his performance, my brother was trying to take a selfie with him.
“Due to the rush and furore, there was a commotion that ensued. The person who fell was taken to Zen hospital and was discharged after an examination. Shri Sonu Nigam is unhurt.
“On behalf of the organisation team, we have officially apologised to Sonu sir and his team for the unpleasant incident.
“Please do not believe any baseless rumours and those who are trying to politicise the matter.”
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