NEW DELHI: Social media influencer Amir Shokeen has apologised after a video purportedly showing him subjecting a youth from Tripura to racial abuse and humiliation triggered widespread condemnation, even as the Delhi Police’s Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit is set to investigate the viral clip.In an apology video, Shokeen said he had intended the video as a joke and sought forgiveness from the people of Tripura and chief minister Manik Saha, who had called for action over the incident.“Jai Babaji, brothers, as you know, I made a video, it was a joke video, but for that, if any of the brothers of Tripura are offended, I am apologizing again, forgive me,” he said.Referring to Saha’s post on the controversy, Shokeen added that he was apologising to the chief minister as well. “I made a mistake,” he said, claiming that he had deleted the video and was seeking forgiveness with folded hands.“I have made more than 2,000 videos, but no one has ever hurt anyone, and Hindus, Muslims, all the community, I have never done anything wrong with anyone,” he said.In another video posted on Instagram, Shokeen claimed that the video was scripted.The apology comes amid growing demands for action over the video, which allegedly showed the influencer directing racial slurs and abusive remarks at a youth from Tripura, referring to him as “Chinese” and humiliating him in public.
Delhi Police’s IFSO unit to investigate viral video
The Delhi Police’s Special Police Unit for North Eastern Region (SPUNER) has formally written to the IFSO unit, asking it to investigate the viral video, officials said on Thursday.The Tripura Students Forum Delhi (TSFD), in a complaint dated October 21 addressed to the joint commissioner of police, SPUNER, sought an urgent and impartial investigation into the incident.The forum alleged that the video depicted a person from Tripura being subjected to sexual assault, harassment and humiliating treatment by a social media content creator.The complaint identified the Instagram account @amirshoksen as allegedly linked to the incident and sought verification of the identity and role of the person operating it, as well as others who may have participated in or recorded the alleged incident.The forum also urged police to preserve electronic evidence, including the original recording, metadata, account details and upload history, and take steps to prevent further harassment or intimidation of the youth.It sought registration of an FIR wherever warranted by the facts and applicable legal provisions.
Kiren Rijiju , Manik Saha demand action
The video has drawn condemnation from political leaders, including Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Tripura chief minister Manik Saha.Rijiju said the accused would face action, asserting that Delhi and Tripura Police would take the matter forward.“This evil man will be punished. There was a delay in lodging the official complaint, but Delhi Police and Tripura Police will teach him a hard lesson,” the minister said in a post on X.Saha had earlier directed the state’s director general of police to coordinate with Delhi Police over the incident. Leaders across party lines in Tripura have also condemned the alleged conduct and demanded legal action.The IFSO unit is examining the matter. Further details of the investigation are awaited.(With agency inputs)
