Papon kiss controversy: Minor girl breaks her silence

Assamese singer Angarag Papon Mahanta or Papon as he is popularly known is in big trouble. He landed in a controversy after a video of him 'kissing' a minor participant of a music reality show went viral on social media yesterday.

In a detailed Facebook post yesterday, Papon apologised and said that it was "just a case of faulty camera angles and an accidental move. And now finally, the minor girl in question and other contestants along with their parents are defending the whole act.

In a video, the minor girl says that Papon didn't do anything with wrong intention. She said, "He kissed me like he would kiss his own child. My mother and my father also kiss me lovingly so there is nothing wrong about it."

Also her father issued a statement which said that Papon is a father figure to his daughter and that there was nothing objectionable in the video that has come under the scanner.

"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. I would request and urge the media to not pursue this further," he told Republic TV in a statement.

Also read: Singer Papon lands in trouble after kissing minor contestant of music reality show

It all started when a Supreme Court advocate Runa Bhuyan shot off a letter to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights terming the singer's act as "inappropriate". Runa filed a complaint against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) later issued notice to both singer Papon and a TV entertainment channel.

Also, Minister of State Women and Child Welfare Vidya Thakur on Saturday directed the Mumbai police to investigate the matter. The Maharashtra government took cognizance of the Papon issue, where Thakur talked to Mumbai's Commissioner of Police (CP) about the incident, directing him to investigate the incident.

Also read- Faulty camera angle, accidental move: Papon breaks silence on kissing controversy

Speaking to ANI, State Women's Body Chief Vijaya Rahatkar confirmed that Thakur has talked to Mumbai CP, adding that Maharashtra Women Commission will take action on the same soon.

Also read: Child rights body issues notice to Papon over kissing minor