- Leaves India after video goes viral
- Vadodara Navratri celebrations turn controversial as a video of an NRI couple kissing sparks outrage and legal complaints
An NRI couple visiting Vadodara, Gujarat, for the Navratri festivities faced backlash after a video of them kissing at a Garba event went viral. The clip, captured at the popular United Way Garba in the Kalali area, showed the couple embracing on the garba ground, igniting criticism from locals and religious groups, reported hindustantimes.com.
The couple, who have been living in Australia for 16 years, submitted a written apology and departed India following the controversy.
Pratik Patel and his wife were in India to meet Pratik’s parents and participate in the festive celebrations
Public outrage quickly mounted, with the Sanatan Sant Samiti demanding action against the event organisers
Advocate Bhavin Vyas filed a complaint at the Atladara Police Station, urging authorities to take action against the couple for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.
Police confirmed that the couple, married for 16 years and parents of two children, acknowledged that their actions were inappropriate at a sacred site during Navratri.
“They submitted in writing that the place where they kissed was a sacred site during Navratri. They have apologised, stating that they should not have done that,” said a police inspector, as reported by the Deccan Herald.
Following the backlash and legal pressure, the couple left India and returned to Australia.
