Ukrainian singer Uma Shanti has apologised for allegedly insulting India’s national flag during a concert at a Pune club on August 13. Meanwhile, the club located in Mundhwa has been shut since the incident as various political parties have held protests at the site.

 

“I want to apologise because I love India. I know what Independence means, I didn’t mean anything wrong,” Shanti said in an Instagram story.

 

 

An FIR was registered against her and the event organiser after a video of the act went viral on social media on August 14. The case pertains to a pre-Independence Day stage show at Freq Superclub on North Road at Koregaon Park Annexe in Mundhwa.

 

During the show, Shanti, the lead performer of the Ukrainian band Shanti People, danced with two Indian national flags in her hands and later hurled them towards the audience. A video of the incident was circulated on social media, and a First Information Report (FIR) on behalf of the police was registered by constable Tanaji Deshmukh.

Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha members staged a protest at the club on Wednesday and said they would not let the club run unless the owner apologised.

 

Omkar Kedari, general secretary of Yuva Morcha, said, “We forced the hotel to shut down on Wednesday, and it still is closed. The DJ has made a public apology but we will let the hotel run unless the police take serious action against the organiser of the function and the hotel owner.”

 

 

 

“This should be a lesson to all pub operators in the city and all illegal things there should come to a halt,” he said, adding that the agitation was held as the police failed to take serious action against the offenders.

 

“The activities in pubs are leading to an increase in crimes and adversely affecting the city’s culture,” Kedari said.

 

The Pune city police said they would soon file a chargesheet against the singer Uma Shanti alias Jiapiha Larina and the organiser Kartik More under provisions of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. Notices have already been issued to the duo in connection to the offence registered against them at Mundhwa police station, 

Assistant Inspector Sandeep Jore of the Mundhwa police station, who is investigating the case, said, “Because the maximum sentence this provision attracts is three years, as per the guidelines, we have not arrested the two people charged. We are in the process of preparing the chargesheet of the case and will soon be submitting the same to the court. We have served notices to the two accused, and they will be produced before the court when the chargesheet is submitted.”

 

“According to our information, the club has not operated since the incident occurred. Various political organisations have held protests at the club.”

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