Pooja Bhatt Faces Backlash For Criticising Group Of People Singing 'Jai Shree Ram' In Mumbai Metro

A video of a group of people chanting "Jai Shri Ram" inside a Mumbai metro has gone viral. In response, Pooja Bhatt called it a misuse of public space.

Pooja Bhatt responds to people singing in a metro.

Source : Instagram/@poojab1972

New Delhi: A video showing a group of people performing Garba music and ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans on a Mumbai metro during the Navratri celebrations has gone viral, sparking a flurry of discussion on social media. Actress Pooja Bhatt, who was most recently seen on ‘Bigg Boss OTT 2’, took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice her opinion. She called out the people for misusing public spaces. Netizens reacted angrily to her remarks, with many defending the group's activities.

The journalist who uploaded the video on X, wrote, "This, truly, is what Hindutva Pop music has been designed for.” Resharing the video, Pooja Bhatt said, “How is this permissible in a public space?”

She elaborated on why it is inappropriate to utilise public areas to play religious music, whether it is Hindutva pop, Christmas songs, or something else. “Doesn’t matter if it is Hindutva pop, Christmas carols, Bollywood blockbusters or anything in between. Public spaces cannot be misused in this manner. How and why are the authorities permitting this? Yeah, now bring on the abuse,” Pooja wrote.

How is this permissible in a public space? Doesn’t matter if it is Hindutva pop,Christmas carols,Bollywood blockbusters or anything in between. Public spaces cannot be misused in this manner. How and why are the authorities permitting this? Yeah,now bring on the abuse. https://t.co/YmS48A9gL7

— Pooja Bhatt (@PoojaB1972) October 13, 2024

She went on to say “If we can’t follow basic rules there is no hope for law & order to prevail in the real sense. Illegal hoardings of ALL political parties that desecrate the city the metro being turned into a party zone. Firecrackers being lit in the middle of the street-used as cover by assailants.”

Netizens' Reaction To Pooja Bhatt's Tweet

Pooja Bhatt was accused of hypocrisy and double standards by netizens who swamped the comment sections with opposing perspectives. Many questioned her silence in the face of comparisons to Muslim prayers broadcast over loudspeakers. A user questioned, “Azaan nahi suni Papa Bhatt??”

One user sarcastically wrote, "It's fine Pooja, they don't do it 24×7, 365 days a year! Please pardon them. Your forgiveness will let them live peacefully, otherwise, how will they even prosper in their respective careers?"

Many people also pointed out that the group had reserved the metro coach in advance, which would have allowed them to avoid disturbing other passengers.