Virat Kohli on Saturday posted a video of Anushka Sharma furiously reprimanding a man for littering garbage on the road. In the video Anushka is seen stopping a car and saying, “Why are you throwing garbage on the road? Please be careful, you cannot just throw plastic around like that on streets. Use a dustbin.”
Minutes after the video was posted, the man in question, Arhhan Singh, posted a screenshot of the video and said, “While I’m apologetic for my carelessness, Mrs Anushka Sharma Kohli a little etiquette and politeness in ur dialogue wouldn't have made u a lesser star!! There are all kinds of manners and hygiene.. verbal etiquette is one of them.”
A day later, Arhhan’s mother, Gittanjali Elizabeth also lashed out at the couple saying, “As a mother, I would like to state that you have not only shamed my son @arhhansingh on social media by not blurring his face, but you’ve also exposed him to unwanted hostility. I am concerned about my son’s SAFETY !!!”.
Youngsters in Bengaluru were in favour of the actor.
Leslin KS, an engineering graduate from Sarvajanik College of Engineering and Technology when asked to comment about the issue opined, “the objection that people have with the video posted is that there was an intrusion of privacy. In my opinion, it was important for her husband, Virat Kohli, to post the video to bring about a positive change. The caption reads, ‘If you see something wrong happening like this, do the same and spread awareness.’ I don’t think the man in question will dare litter ever again, neither will anybody take this matter lightly. Social media has certain powers and the couple have used it rightly.”
Aaron S George, a graduate from St.Joseph’s college, who was also in favour of the actor says, “honestly, I fail to understand how what the actress did was wrong. I myself try to do what she did but, more often than not, my efforts backfire because I am a nobody. There have been times when I have been yelled at for making an effort in the first place. But when someone as powerful as Anushka does the same, it gets the attention and result desired.”.
Ricardo Lawrence, an assistant coach at Technico football foundation in response to the post by Arhhan Singh says, “I have watched the video and I don’t see Anushka being rude or impolite. She only requests him not to litter. Arhhan is only embarrassed and is hence, overreacting.”
While the actor’s co-workers and fans supported her there were a few who did not agree with the approach used by the actor to deal with the issue.
Arhhan can also face legal repercussions for his actions. According to section 278 of the Indian Penal Code littering in public is a punishable offence and the guilty can be charged with monetary penalties. The offence, however, does not call for FIRs or arrest.
