Gujarat: NRI couple apologises for 'garba' kiss video, leaves India

Ahmedabad: After two days of a harrowing experience over a viral video showing them kissing while shooting a social media reel during a ‘garba’ event in Vadodara, an NRI couple reportedly left the country after submitting a written apology to the police.

The video triggered outrage over “inappropriate” behaviour, leading to protests by saffron organisations, including Bajrang Dal, as well as backlash on social media.

Police said they had been married for 16 years and currently resides in Melbourne, Australia. They are from Vadodara and Anand districts.

“They submitted in writing that the place where they kissed was a sacred site during Navratri. They have apologised, stating that they should not have done that. They are locals but have been living in Australia. They have been married for 16 years and have children,” a police inspector said.

A senior police officer said the couple flew back to Australia following the controversy. He added that they were forced to come to the police station after an advocate from a saffron organisation filed an FIR against them. He added that the couple had engaged in similar acts in previous years without objections.

Bajrang Dal activists met the organisers of the garba and urged them to ensure incidents that hurt religious sentiments do not recur.