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News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
‘Not Fit For Force': On-Duty Bihar Cop Under Fire For Posting Lip-Sync Reel
Last Updated: A female constable is seen in uniform lip-syncing to the viral song Hum Hain Bihari, Thoda Limit Mein Rahiyega. A short lip-sync reel filmed by a female police constable in Bihar has gone viral, sparking a wave of reactions on social media. The 17-second video shows the officer dressed in full uniform, standing against a wall near what appears to be a police station. In addition, her nameplate reads Aarti. In the reel, she lip-syncs to the popular line 'Hum Hain Bihari, Thoda Limit Mein Rahiyega," which translates to 'We are Biharis, so stay within your limits." The background, including large trees and a distant building, reportedly confirms that the video was recorded within the police station premises. In the clip, the constable is seen confidently facing the camera, with a serious yet expressive look, capturing the attention of viewers. She wears a beret, a regulation khaki uniform and a name tag, clearly identifying her as an on-duty officer. The setting and her attire have raised eyebrows, not just due to the performance, but due to the fact that the video was made during what appears to be duty hours and within official premises. हम हैं बिहारी थोड़ा लिमिट में रहिएगा….कट्टा दिखाएंगे तो बाप-बाप कहिएगा….दिया हुआ चोट मेरा आप नहीं सहिएगा… रील वायरल होने के बाद बिहार पुलिस ने महिला पुलिसकर्मी से स्पष्टीकरण मांग लिया है! — Abhishek Anand (@TweetAbhishekA) June 29, 2025 The video, shared on June 29, has received more than 2,000 views so far, along with mixed public reactions. While some praised the boldness of the performance, many criticised it for undermining the dignity of the police force. Meanwhile, the Free Press Journal reported that the Bihar police have launched an inquiry to determine exactly where and when the reel was recorded. As per police guidelines, officers are prohibited from making or sharing videos in uniform at the workplace. In March, Chandigarh Police suspended senior constable Ajay Kundu after a viral video showed his wife, Jyoti, dancing on a zebra crossing at Sector-20 Gurdwara Chowk. The video, recorded on March 20, drew criticism as it caused a traffic disruption. चंडीगढ़: पुलिसकर्मी की पत्नी ने ज़ेबरा क्रॉसिंग पर बनाई रील, ट्रैफिक नियमों की उड़ाई धज्जियां; रोड पर लगा जाम महिला के खिलाफ पुलिस ने FIR दर्ज की, हालांकि थाने में ही बेल दे दी गई. मामला सेक्टर-20 में गुरुद्वारा चौक के पास का है. #Chandigarh — Ishani K (@IshaniKrishnaa) March 27, 2025 Jyoti was seen dancing to a popular Haryanvi song while blocking the road, seemingly unaware of the traffic she was holding up. The clip was reportedly filmed by her sister-in-law, Pooja, shortly after the two had visited a temple in Sector 32. The incident quickly gained attention online and sparked a public backlash.
India Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Will Mumbai's dance bar girls get to emerge from the shadows?
Six nights a week, Aanam Khan (name changed) dresses in a ghaghra-choli for work. She is a bar girl based in Mumbai's Mira Road suburb, and also works in a bar in Mumbai Central on certain days. However, unlike the city's bar dancers of the 2000s, she doesn't dance. Today, a 2005 law prohibits "dance performances" in insiders point out that while dancing is banned by law, there's a loophole -- singing and casually interacting with patrons at bars remain allowed. So, Khan, who comes from a lineage of Tawaifs, adapted. She performs as a "singer" at orchestra bars. She even has an identity card, tucked into her ghagra, as proof of legitimacy. Today, she moves gracefully through the bars, smiling and engaging patrons in conversation, some of whom give her money for just a few minutes of her nearly two decades after the dance bar ban, life inside Mumbai's "orchestra bars", which evolved from yesteryears' dance bars, is a mixed reality: for some women with generational knowledge of the trade, survival comes easier. But for others, it's a struggle. However, a "big change" may be on the horizon for Mumbai's bar girls, with growing chatter that orchestra bars could soon see a major transformation. Sources hint that dance might once again be permitted, as the Maharashtra government may consider amending existing laws.A February report by the Mumbai-based Free Press Journal said a draft bill aiming to revive dance bars, albeit with stricter norms like limited performers and mandated distance from patrons, was awaiting cabinet approval. Members of the Performance Bar Committee told India Today Digital that even with tighter rules, allowing dance would significantly boost dance bars are legalised with clear rules, time limits, and proper safeguards, it could make the industry safer by offering bar girls legal protection, reducing exploitation, and curbing trafficking through stricter oversight, experts said, adding a regulated system could be a viable way believes it will draw way more patrons to the bars. "This will boost our income if it actually happens," says Khan, who makes about Rs 500 to Rs 900 a day on weekdays. The business thrives on weekends, when she makes about Rs 2,000 a Yadav, an office-bearer of the Performance Bar Committee (a wing of the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association, or AHAR), told India Today Digital, "If dance bars are permitted again, Mumbai could see a massive economic boost, putting it on par with global nightlife hubs like Thailand".THE "ORCHESTRA BARS" OF TODAY IN MUMBAI A scene from a Mumbai orchestra bar where a bar girl stands still instead of dancing. Her ID, which reads 'singer', can be seen hanging from her attire. (Photo: File) Today, stepping into an orchestra bar feels like entering a time capsule to the 1990s. Neon lights pulse to the rhythm of old Hindi songs. The smell of whisky and cigarettes hangs thick in the air. Women stand or roam around near tables, expecting attention and money from the often advise customers to break larger notes into smaller denominations that they can offer the "singers". The most common bundles are of Rs 20. But they can be Rs 50 or Rs 100 bundles too. Some spend it all at once; others take their time. Another stark difference is that the notes are now handed directly to the girls, unlike in the 2000s, when men would throw the notes at the said, "The girls don't mind even smaller amounts, like a single Rs 20 note, though that buys the clients only about 20-30 seconds of interaction".While these girls, between the ages of 22 and 35, are officially listed as singers, in reality, only one or two actually sing -- most, like Khan, just carry singer IDs to stay within legal setup is simple: flash the money, and the bar girl approaches and spends time with the 1990s Hindi songs blaring through the speakers, conversation inside the bars often means leaning in close, something many male patrons mistake for solicitation. Khan, who works at Hotel New Ocean (name changed) in Mumbai Central, acknowledged that some girls do solicit, depending on how wealthy a customer appears. For her, the transaction is usually simple: the bigger the note, the longer the small however, even engage in sex work outside the bar, in a private setting, Khan said. She herself is open to sex work but draws a line, saying, "I choose my clients".Mumbai-based advocate Surbhi Agarwal, who has extensive experience working with bar dancers, however, cautions against generalisations. "It's a mistake to assume that every woman in this profession experiences the same conditions as Aanam Khan," she explains."Many are still forced into working at bars and engaging in sex work. As per my experience, women in such circumstances often adapt to their environment, and even to misery. It's how the human mind works. All the trauma rises to the surface when you rehabilitate them. And it doesn't really leave," Agarwal told India Today GREY ZONE: INSIDE DANGEROUS TRADE BEHIND ORCHESTRA BARSBut even if, for the "bar girls" or "singers", business seems as usual, it's not the same for all like Khan. For many others, especially trafficked girls from Nepal, Bangladesh, or Indian states like Jharkhand and Odisha, the scene is far more perilous, as they are forced into the trade with little agency. They are trapped by meagre earnings, and depend on the bar or hotel, and there is no clear way out."The new girls, who are kidnapped and forced into this business, don't understand how things work. They get a small cut from the bar they work at. The hotel provides them with food, but the money is never enough to escape that world. Girls from Nepal, Bangladesh, and even Indian states like Jharkhand and Odisha are brought here and pushed into this trade," a Mumbai Police officer, who has handled many cases related to bar girls and sex workers in Kamathipura, India's second-largest red-light district, which also has at least five orchestra bars nearby, told India Today Digital on condition of 2005, Maharashtra banned dance bars, citing concerns over morality, crime, and exploitation, pushing thousands of women out of steady employment. Although dancing remains illegal, loopholes have created a grey zone where many women operate under constant scrutiny, with limited protection and greater vulnerability to exploitation and legally barred from dancing, Khan and other industry insiders told India Today Digital that many bar girls still perform behind closed doors to earn more, making them frequent targets of police raids. In fact, every month this year has seen orchestra bars in the news: from over 70 women booked in Saki Naka in June to arrests in Vashi, Ulhasnagar, and Thane, even drawing political heat in January when a bar video was falsely linked to a Shiv Sena (UBT) must be noted that while the Supreme Court's January 2019 ruling recommended certain restrictions, allowing conditional reopening of dance bars with several safeguards, the Maharashtra government has continued its crackdown, targeting bars that now operate as orchestra FACE OF BAR GIRLS BEYOND THE OLD STEREOTYPESThe women who work at dance bars present a different and changing picture of the underground scene today. It may be superficial, but there is seemingly a tiny shift towards empowerment. Khan, for instance, owns two flagship phones, has an OTT platform subscription, and learns make-up techniques from YouTube, an uncommon phenomenon in a community usually seen as Khan, another bar girl, also from a lineage of Tawaifs (who spoke on condition of anonymity to a well-placed source), described the scene at a Grant Road establishment near Congress (name changed), who supplements her bar income with private dance sessions at Rs 1,000 per song, in a private setting around the bar, said her workplace has a tight community for both bar girls and sex workers, and they look after each other. She told India Today Digital that the special part of this private setting is that there are always "some men" outside the bars, who apparently act as "women's bodyguards".Once revered for their artistry in music, dance, poetry, and etiquette, tawaifs have been miscast due to colonial stigma, with many of their descendants now facing exploitation and being pushed into sex Kale, honorary president of the Dance Bar Girls' Association, told India Today Digital that bar girls are far more empowered than in the 1990s. "They are earning 60-70% of their floor income and benefiting from social media exposure, unlike earlier times when they were exploited through fixed salaries".But of course, this is only true for a fortunate few, like Khan or DANCE BARS COULD MEAN SAFETY AND SYSTEM FOR ALL: INDUSTRYRamashankar Yadav, of the industry body, the Performance Bar Committee, also stated that, if legalised, dance bars would operate far more safely and systematically than in the early 2000s."Bar owners now understand the importance of fair treatment of bar girls," he said."While past cases involved a lot of abuse, today's laws and social media access ensure better protection, like pick-up and drop services in mini-buses, meals in the bars they work at, and fixed working hours for performers," Yadav told India Today Digital."Not all bars comply perfectly, but the progress the industry has made is undeniable. Legalisation would bring even greater professionalism to the industry," Yadav office-bearer of the Performance Bar Committee, Uday Shetty, said that strict bar timings hurt business in a city known for nightlife."The government is very strict about timings for most orchestra bars. But Mumbai isn't like other Indian cities. It's known for its nightlife. If they allowed dance bars, it would boost the industry tremendously," Shetty executive secretary Rajendra Bakshi said legalising dance bars is about protecting rights and livelihoods too."We are advocating for the legalisation of dance bars as they provide employment for so many people. This is not merely about the revenue they bring in. It is about upholding the rights of the people and supporting those connected to the industry," Bakshi the industry makes a case for legalisation through better safeguards and professional practices, the debate continues beyond just economic benefits. The question of dignity, agency, and long-term well-being of the women involved lies at the heart of this complex OF OPINIONS ON BAR GIRLSSimilar to the tussle between the apex court and the Maharashtra government, there is duality in experts' opinions, Varghese, founder of the non-profit Purnata, said bar dancers face challenges similar to those of sex workers he has worked with for decades. "Pushing the industry underground doesn't end the demand. It creates hidden networks and increases the vulnerability to trafficking. Many women in this profession are already in debt, so there is hardly any way out," Varghese told India Today to him, regular inspection of bars, financial protection legally, and simultaneously fostering alternative livelihoods offer a path Kale argued that restricting bar girls is just another way of suppressing women."Why did the government issue licences in the first place if they were meant to be banned? If dance bars are legalised today, the bar economy will thrive because of people's curiosity. I often hear people say, 'Dance bars toh hamaare Mumbai aane se pehle hi bandh ho gaye'. Despite the ban, bars have mushroomed all over the place. It's a need that won't disappear," she added.- EndsMust Watch
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Who is Jaggu Bhagwanpuria? Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's mentor whose mother was shot in Punjab's Batala
Jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria's mother, and another relative accompanying her, were shot dead in Punjab's Batala by unidentified people on a bike, police said Friday. Jagdeep Singh, alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, is a resident of Gurdaspur.(X) Following the incident, which took place around 9.30 pm on Thursday on Qadian road, Bhagwanpuria's mother Harjit Kaur was critically injured. She was rushed to the Batala Civil Hospital in Amritsar, wherein she succumbed to her injuries, a senior police official from Batla told PTI news agency. The Davinder Bambiha gang has claimed responsibility for the killing. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Batala, Paramveer Singh, said that the attackers had fled after the shooting, and efforts were underway to apprehend them. Teams have been formed to nab the killers, and a case has been registered, with police investigating the motive behind the attack, DSP Singh said. Who is Harjit Kaur's son, jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria? Harjit Kaur, who hailed from Bhagwanpur, was earlier elected as a member of the village panchayat. Her son, gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, was in the custody of Punjab Police in connection with the murder of Sidhu Moosewala. He was detained in March under the PIT-NDPS Act, after which he was shifted from central jail in Bathinda to Silchar jail in Assam. Jagdeep Singh, alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, is a resident of Gurdaspur. Apart from the two mentioned above, he has more than 120 cases against him. These range from murder, extortion to drug trafficking and charges under the Arms Act. Apart from being known as a feared gangster in Punjab, he is also reportedly the mentor of Lawrence Bishnoi, as per the Free Press Journal. 'His established linkages with international operatives in Canada, United States, and Pakistan warranted his relocation to disrupt the ecosystem facilitating continued criminal activity," a statement on him by the Narcotics Control Bureau in March 2025 said. The attack on Bhagwanpuria's mother is reported to be a part of an ongoing turf war, with an account named 'Gopi Ghanshyampuria' claiming responsibility on behalf of the Davinder Bambiha gang, according to the Free Press Journal. The account said that the intended target of the attack was the relative accompanying Harjit Kaur, Karanveer Singh, who they said ran the operations for the Bhagwanpuria gang.
News18
22-06-2025
- News18
Amid Pune Rains, Couple's Bike Skids Due To Pothole. Two Men Rush To Help But...
Last Updated: The couple immediately rushed to the Kondhwa police station and registered a complaint against the two men. Two unidentified men, under the pretext of offering help, allegedly stole gold jewellery worth Rs 75,000 from a couple who had just met with an accident on their way home in Pune. The incident took place on Thursday at around 10 pm near Shriram Chowk in Tilekarnagar, Kondhwa. According to TOI, 32-year-old Sachin Sanjay Mahajan and his wife were en route home from Yewalewadi when their motorcycle slid down the road after hitting a pothole and they both fell off the motorcycle. The Kondhwa-based shop owner stated that he fainted for a while, and his wife sustained minor injuries on her hands. Soon after, two men, who posed as Good Samaritans, offered them help and also lifted their motorcycle and parked it properly. The couple thanked the two men for a sweet gesture as they were leaving the place. While talking to his wife shortly after the accident, the man realised that his gold chain worth Rs 75,000 was missing. The couple looked for it in the area but couldn't find it and that's when their suspicion fell on the two men who had helped them. As they decided to go after them, they found out that the duo might have stolen the keys to their motorcycle as well. The couple immediately rushed to the Kondhwa police station and registered a complaint against the two men. Vinay Patankar, Senior Police Inspector, told the Free Press Journal (FPJ) that they are investigating the CCTV footage in the area and the snatchers will be arrested soon. Kondhwa Police have registered a case under Sections 303(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). First Published: June 22, 2025, 07:30 IST
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
‘How did she turn 30 again?': Manisha Koirala (54) looks gorgeous with hair makeover at Nepali salon
Actor Manisha Koirala (54) regularly shares posts on Instagram, giving fans a glimpse at her life, whether she is working out, meeting friends, or simply posing for the camera. Recently, Manisha opted for a hair makeover and has left fans swooning over her look. Taking to Instagram, Nepal's Arden The Beauty Point shared a clip giving a peek at Manisha's new look. The actor was seen getting a haircut and makeup done. After getting her new hairdo, Manisha smiled and gestured that she loved it. The actor also gave different poses for the camera. In the clip, Manisha was seen in a white top and beige pants. The clip was shared with the caption, "A timeless beauty and a beacon of strength (sparkles emoji). Makeover for our gorgeous @m_koirala." Reacting to the post, Manisha wrote, "Thank you, Rajesh @arden_the_beauty_point, for hair makeover!!!" A post shared by Arden The Beauty Point (@arden_the_beauty_point) Fans were left in awe of Manisha's new look. A person wrote, "You are looking so young and pretty." A comment read, "You slay in this hairstyle." A fan said, "You are such a rare beauty." An Instagram user said, "The subtle beauty of the 90s." "How did she turn 30 again?" commented another person. Earlier this year, Manisha spoke with the Free Press Journal about women getting shamed and trolled for their age. Manisha had said, 'Whether in the industry or otherwise, ageing is an issue with women. We get shamed. I've never heard any troll telling a male figure that he's become old. But a lot of women are trolled. It's like looking down upon the age. Ageism impacts women a lot more than it impacts men. I was sidelined by a certain group for a roundtable conversation. And the reason they gave me was, 'Oh, it was about a certain age group'." Manisha was last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's web show Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. The period drama television series is set in the red-light district of Heera Mandi in Lahore during the Indian independence movement. The cast includes Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Sharmin Segal, and Taha Shah Badussha. The series premiered on Netflix in May 2024. In June 2024, it was renewed for a second season. She is yet to announce any new project.
