Pooja Bhatt Slams Viral Video of Youth Singing 'Jai Shri Ram' in Mumbai Metro: "Public Spaces Cannot Be Misused"

October 14, 2024: Actress Pooja Bhatt has expressed her disapproval of a viral video showing a group of youngsters singing inside the Mumbai metro during Navratri. The video features the youth, dressed in festive attire, occupying seats and floors while loudly singing spiritual songs, including "Bharat Ka Baccha Baccha Jai Shri Ram Bolega" and Gujarati garba songs.

While some viewers appreciated the festive spirit, others criticized the act as public nuisance. Pooja Bhatt, sharing the video on her X (formerly Twitter) account, was among those who condemned the behavior. The video was initially posted by independent journalist and author Kunal Purohit, who pointed out the growing influence of "Hindutva Pop" music across different social classes.

In his post, Purohit wrote, “This, truly, is what Hindutva Pop music has been designed for—the easy appeal that it creates among various classes, across the rural & urban. Well-heeled, upper-class youngsters, seeing no problem in singing this in a metro. H-Pop is everywhere."

Pooja Bhatt responded to the video by criticising the misuse of public spaces. She stated, “How is this permissible in a public space? It doesn’t matter if it’s Hindutva pop, Christmas carols, Bollywood blockbusters, or anything in between. Public spaces cannot be misused in this manner. How and why are the authorities permitting this? Yeah, now bring on the abuse."

Filmmaker Onir also voiced his agreement with Bhatt, commenting, "It’s a shame how nuisance is being passed off as cute and cultural… and there is definitely nothing spiritual or religious about it… just arrogance and disrespect towards others."

In a subsequent post, Pooja Bhatt addressed the importance of following basic civic rules for maintaining law and order. She added, “If we can’t follow basic rules, there is no hope for law & order to prevail in the real sense. Illegal hoardings of ALL political parties that desecrate the city, the metro being turned into a party zone, firecrackers being lit in the middle of the street… used as cover by assailants.”

Her comment references the recent fatal shooting of NCP leader Baba Siddique, who was killed by assailants on Dussehra night. Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who had previously threatened actor Salman Khan, claimed responsibility for Siddique’s assassination.

Also Read: Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi Claims Responsibility for Baba Siddique’s Assassination, Warns Salman Khan?

Also Read: Mumbai Police Arrests Key Conspirator in Baba Siddique’s Murder Case

Pooja Bhatt’s Career:

Pooja Bhatt, a popular star in the 80s and 90s, recently made a successful comeback with roles in OTT platforms. She was a participant in Bigg Boss OTT 2 and will soon be seen in a film opposite Suniel Shetty. Bhatt was last seen in the Prime Video series Big Girls Don’t Cry.