New Delhi: Bigg Boss 16 participant Vikkas Manaktala gets into legal trouble by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) for an alleged casteist statement he made against fellow contestant Archana Gautam. The NCSC wants Bigg Boss 16 to take action against Manaktala.
The statement was made on Wednesday night, during an episode of the reality show.
In a notice issued to the Maharashtra government, state police, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Endemol India Private Ltd, Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd and Colors TV, the commission said suo-motu cognizance has been taken on information received through social media regarding Manaktala calling Gautam "neech jati ke log" (a low caste person).
Gautam had unsuccessfully contested the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections on a Congress ticket.
According to Indian law, the NCSC said, "this is clearly an offence punishable under SC/ST Act, and the Commission has decided to investigate into the matter in pursuance of the powers conferred upon it under Article 338 of the Constitution of India".
"You are hereby requested to submit action taken report to the undersigned within seven days of receipt of this notice," it said in the notice.
Vikkas and Archana had gotten into a fight earlier and been violent in the kitchen, shoving one other and splashing boiling water on Priyanka.
Later, Vikkas’ wife, Guunjan Walia came forward in support of her husband. She said, “He was very calm and composed in the beginning. Archana instigated him and threw the pan of boiling water. Vikkas and Priyanka, who were standing close, could have been hurt. Even then, they didn’t make an issue about it. Had it been Archana, she would have demanded their eviction with immediate effect. She was the one who kept screaming and shouting, while Vikkas and Priyanka maintained their dignity.”
(With PTI inputs)