A video featuring renowned Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan thrashing a man with shoe was widely circulated on social media.
The video shows the singer repeatedly assaulting the man while questioning him about a missing bottle. “I have no idea about it", the man is also heard pleading with the singer.
Sharing the viral video on X (previously Twitter), senior Pakistani journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah wrote: "Famous singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan beating his servant for bottle of alcohol."
The video triggered netizens and they condemned the ‘Jag Ghoomeya’ singer for his offensive behaviour towards his servant.
However, Khan later clarified that it was a personal matter between an ustad (teacher) and his shagird (disciple). He posted a video on the microblogging site that featured the man who was beaten up, his father to explain his actions.
“This is the nature of the relationship between a ustad and his shagird. I show love to a disciple whenever he does something well. He faces consequences if he commits a wrongdoing," the Pakistani singer said in the video.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan said he had apologized to the man after the incident. The man who was beaten also clarified that he had misplaced a bottle containing holy water.
“There was no ill intention behind his actions. He is like my father. He loves us a lot. The man who is spreading this video is trying to defame my ustad," the man said in the video.