Papon kiss controversy

Papon kiss controversy: Minor girl breaks her silence on the kissing row

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.

Papon accused of sexually abusing minor; contestant's father says he has no objection to the video

Father of the minor reality TV show contestant, who has been allegedly kissed by singer Papon "in an inappropriate manner," says 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 a music reality show

Singer and The Voice of India Kids mentor Papon has come under the fire for a video shot in a van that he posted on his Facebook account which shows the contestants of the reality show playing Holi with Papon. After applying colour on the minor contestant, he kissed her. A complaint has been registered against the singer under POSCO act for "violating bodily integrity amounting into sexual assault on a minor girl".

Avocate Runa Bhuyan in her complaint writes, "I am shocked to see the behaviour of the said singer Angarag Papon Mahanta towards a minor girl where he is seen applying colors on a minor girl and inappropriately kissing the said girl. On seeing the video, I am seriously concerned regarding the safety and security of minor girls participating in reality shows across India."

Papon's lawyer Gaurang Narang, on the other hand, claims that the whole incident is being blown out of proportion. In a telecon with India Today he said, "A person will not put anything against him on public domain for anybody to pick it up and make it a complaint. it is very unfortunate, that a lawyer who has done this- maybe it is her mindset. But the fact remains that this kind of compassion, affection should not be misconstrued. The singer is quite disturbed by the whole incident."