Monali Thakur had faced a distressing situation during her concert in Varanasi, which compelled her to leave the stage abruptly. The incident, which occurred on December 22, 2024, gained significant attention online after a video of her departure from the stage went viral. In this video, Monali expressed her disappointment regarding the poor management of the event and the unsafe conditions on stage.
Now, On January 6, 2025, Monali shared a detailed statement addressing the incident, aiming to clarify misconceptions about her actions and defend her team against “defamatory accusations.” She emphasized the importance of highlighting such incidents to advocate for necessary reforms in the entertainment industry and to raise awareness about performers’ rights. Along with her statement, she included an apology letter from the event organizers.
In her note, Monali criticized the event management team for their “irresponsible behavior,” particularly pointing out how they misused laws intended to protect individuals from sexual harassment. She stated, “Weaponizing such laws for personal vendetta, ego satisfaction, or retaliation against those who refused to comply with unethical practices is not only a gross abuse of rights but also deeply disrespectful to genuine survivors of these heinous crimes.”
Monali revealed that she and her team experienced severe negligence regarding basic safety measures during the show. They faced false accusations of harassment and intimidation that posed life-threatening risks. She remarked, “It is absolutely unacceptable to treat vendors poorly, cheat them of their hard-earned money, or con them in any way. Disrespecting and harassing those working behind the scenes whether they are backstage crew, artist managers, or artist coordinators is not the way forward.”
Monali called for strict regulations to protect performing artists as well as backstage personnel from exploitation. She stressed that all individuals involved in a production deserve a safe and respectful working environment. The ‘Sawaar Loon’ singer also expressed gratitude towards the Uttar Pradesh Police and the Varanasi Police Department for their prompt response during the incident.
