Woman seeks police help after social media user defames her dance video

PTC Web Desk: In a recent incident, Mumbai woman Shruti Parija has approached the police for assistance after a user on a social media platform, referred to as "X," made derogatory remarks about her dance video. Shruti Parija alleged that the user, identified as Prateek Aaryan, posted a video of her dancing at a college fest without her consent, accompanied by disparaging comments. The controversy began when Aaryan criticised cultural events in Indian schools and colleges, asserting that they had devolved into something resembling a "kotha" or brothel. He specifically mentioned Parija's dance performance in a video from a college fest, condemning the cultural degradation in educational institutions.

Shruti Parija, responding to the post, clarified that she was not a student at the college but a professional performer who was invited as a judge for the event. She requested Aaryan to take down the video, and stated that she had not given him consent for its reposting.

Aaryan defended himself, stating that his criticism was directed at the broader issue of cultural programmes in Indian schools and colleges, not specifically at Shruti Parija. He asserted that he did not intend to harm her reputation and maintained that he had not engaged in any form of slut-shaming.

The dispute escalated when Aaryan alleged that Shruti Parija and her friend resorted to using violent language, threatened legal action, and discussed the possibility of him being arrested. Despite the woman's repeated requests, Aaryan refused to remove the video, leading her to involve the Mumbai Police by tagging their X handle on social media.

The Mumbai Police responded to Parija's post, seeking her contact details to address the matter. Meanwhile, Parija reported that she had disabled the media in Aaryan's post through a copyright claim, although the video may still be accessible in certain regions.