FIR Against Hairstylist Jawed Habib After Viral Video Of Him Spitting On Woman's Hair

A viral video of renowned hairstylist Jawed Habib spitting on a woman's hair during a seminar in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh has prompted a police case against him, as per reports on Friday. Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the 58-year-old on the complaint of the woman who was spat on.

The woman, identified as Pooja Gupta, is a beauty parlour owner and was in attendance at Habib's professional seminar held earlier this week. Speaking to the media, Gupta claims being allegedly insulted by Habib when she asked him a question from the audience.

She said he later called her on stage for a styling demonstration and proceeded to spit on her hair. In videos of the incident that have gone viral, Habib is heard telling his audience, "If there is a shortage of water, use saliva."

The incident has sparked wide outrage with many netizens demanding action against him, calling what he did "unhygienic."

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The National Commission for Women (NCW), following the video's virality, took cognisance of the matter. Chairperson Rekha Sharma wrote to the Uttar Pradesh police, directing them to "investigate the veracity of this viral video and take appropriate action." More here.

As quoted by ANI, Rakesh Kumar of the Muzaffarnagar police said Friday that the case against Habib has been registered under sections 355 (assault) and 504 (insult) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), besides other relevant sections of the Epidemic Act.

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Jawed Habib Spitting On Woman's Hair: Where Must Celebs Draw The Line?

Amid the controversy, Habib issued an apology on January 6, on his Instagram channel, for any hurt he may have caused. "Since these sessions are lengthy, we make them humourous. I apologise if my act hurt anyone," he said.

To say that this entire episode is bizarre would be an understatement. And the question many on social media seem to be asking is: why?

Why did Habib do what he did in the first place? One is often left scratching their head in trying to make sense of the eccentricities of celebrities. But can spitting on someone really qualify as eccentricity and be given a free pass in the name of humour, especially when the person with whom it happened claims having felt insulted? Can a person's celebrity warrant the evasion of accountability for something that might seem to them a trivial issue?