Six journalists from prominent print and electronic media were allegedly assaulted and manhandled by over a dozen drunken high-profile youth in an overnight pool party held on 7th July, Saturday at the Hotel Royal Retreat, Badi (Hawala Village) an upcountry part of Udaipur.
The glamorous Aqua -2 party hosted by WDNE (We Don’t Need Education) group hosted this event in the presence of some of the most popular DJs of the country including DJ Suketu, DJ NYK, DJ Angel, DJ KAZ and Ifthikar Ali, singer.
Journalists outside Nai Police Station: Photo by Sohail Khan
Kuldeep Singh, Narayan Singh and Vinod Mali, all reporters from a local news channel were physically assaulted and their video cameras were snatched. Vinod Mali was also forcedly locked in a room for several hours and allegedly thrashed by some men.
The scuffle started when another news channel journalist Kamal was taking visuals of a group of drunken guys fighting over some petty issue, suddenly an unknown person poured beer on him which was objected by other reporters present there.
The heated argument turned into a serious brawl and heavily boozing youth started attacking journalists.
An FIR has been lodged with Nai Police Station today morning by the journalists who somehow managed to escape from the wild party.
Additional S.P (Tribal) Kaluram Rawat, ADM (City) Yaseen Khan Pathan and Dinesh Tarwadi, Vice President of the State Schedule Caste Commission came to the Nai Police Station and took information about the incident. The information was also given to I.G, T.C Damor and Ata-ur-Rahman, Deputy Police officer.
According to sources, the rain dance party had nearly 200-300 boys and girls mostly from high profile families of Udaipur and nearby places.
“Everything was going perfectly, the party was fine and we all were enjoying but after 11pm things started getting bad as many people under the influence of heavy liquor started fighting with each other” said one of the partying youth.
As per the reporters who were attacked, people lost control over themselves and started disturbing the event, “we were doing our work without bothering anyone and all journalists who were present there were invited by the party organizers at a recent press conference held pre-event” said Kuldeep Singh.
Kuldeep has received multiple injuries on head, face and chest. The bouncers snatched three video cameras from them.
Narayan Singh, another reporter said that “we were badly thrashed and after escaping from there we went to Nai Police Station at 4 in the morning and also informed T.C. Damor, I.G.”
Dinesh Tarwadi informed the Chief Minister’s office about the incident.
“This is so shameful for the City of Lakes; I don’t understand who gave them permission to throw such a wild late night party with high music,” said Tarwadi.
When UT tried to reach the organizers Saurabh Arya and Dushyant Periwal, their phones were found to be switched off.
Dinesh Tarwadi, Akhtar Khan and Jinendra Shastri at Nai Police Station: Photo Sohail Khan
The news spread like a jungle fire in Udaipur Journalist’s circuit. Akhtar Khan, President and Manu Rao, Vice President of the Lake City Press Club came forward to support the journalists who became assault victims.
“We are not going to tolerate this and will take this matter to the higher level till the assailants are arrested,” said Akhtar Khan.
A meeting of all journalists with police officials and owners of Hotel Royal Retreat was held today evening at the Police Control Room, Delhi Gate.
Hemant Periwal has apologized to all media personnel who were assaulted last night. Periwal has also answered several questions asked by media, police and administration regarding the mishap.
Yaseen Khan Pathan with Kaluram Rawat talking with Rafiq.M Pathan senior journalist Rashtrdoot- photo Sohail Khan
Though Periwal said he had no knowledge of any such incident, but regarding the permission of loud volume music he gave an excuse of the venue being located far from the city. All cameras and equipment were returned back to the reporters.
ADSP Kaluram Rawat, Ata-ur-Rahman Deputy and CI of Nai were also present in the meeting. According to higher officials the report of last night’s incident is being sent to the District Collector, Hemant Gera and investigations will take place.
Also reported by UT Journalists Sohail Khan, Sayeed Ahmed and Divye Walwani
reporter should be stop all this non-sence as soon as possible ….. some good going in udaipur first time …. then why create issue …… now udr will move towards growing step ….. we being move to a metro……….. most welcome for this kind of new partys
This is Hippocracy of journalists and misuse of the pen power, should be curtailed immediately………………. Journalist under the influence of alcohol misbehaved the young women and when opposed started mess up. These should be banned in all social gatherings with immediate effect
I do agree with the same
press ke sath marpit ka yuva morcha kadi ninda karta hai…..
hahahaha Politician Bhau
Good one my friend, misuse of pen power is not an issue of today.. it seems to be an on-going issue, but simply believing one party (reporters) and accusing another party (WDNE) is not fair. It seems to be rather biased. We need to be a little more open minded about such events and realize that the whole nation seems to be evolving so why are the views of the population so orthodox.
Press should avoid going to such parties with video/photo cameras. Some space should be given to the people who want to enjoy harmlessly. Some media person are actually too high headed and think that its their right to interefere in every thing happening. And with the power of pen they want to satisfy their egos most of the time by writing against what is not pleasing them or against those who are not paying them. Ofcourse no one is justifying voilence here but media should maintain a decent distance and any intereference in private matters of anyone should be avoided.
With all due respect to above persons who commented. The media personals were invited by the party organizers to cover the whole party. They also did the press conference for the same. After inviting to the party, this type of host-sense is unethical. Plus, before asking media to quit such events, one should think that how many times media proved its importance in your lives.
Yes, there should be some privacy – but you can’t call media and then scuffle with them. That’s not acceptable.
100% correct…And if suppose something goes wrong then who will cover the report…Being Media there no body will cross there limit for everything
Mr.Raghav,
it seems to me that you are implying infact directly accusing the organziers for this “scuffle”, more over you seems to be suggesting that it was pre-meditated. Either you have some sort of proof to validate your statement… or you are biased to the extreme. Please do share how you can accuse someone publicly without presenting proof!
Regards,
U-townies
seriously in today’s era I guess partying means getting high. Is that it??
i know one thing for sure, you WERE NOT at this party, NOT everyone gets “high”…thats not the definition of partying… i hope you understand that YOU stand corrected.
I am confused between the party organizers and the media report. NO COMMENTS.
This party turned out to be a Nightmare. .in future,its gonna b a big deal for every parent to permit their ward for a ‘party’. . Modesty and ethics r lost in the race of becoming like the metro ppl or just pretending to have a metropolitan attitude! . .girls out at late hours . Smokin n getn drunk. . Is that what they call modern? And is it FREEDOM its pathetic. !
After all u jus said soumya, ur talkin about freedom, wat a joke man go get a life!!!!
according to http://www.dictionary.com the word “Freedom” is defined as “the power to determine action without restraint.”. Therefore it can be concluded that “modesty and ethics” and purely established by one for THEMSELVES… not by others… your definitions seem to be very different compared to the rest of the world so maybe you should refrain from sharing your thoughts, as you obviously dont believe OR understand the word “Freedom”.
Thanks,
U-townies
I thought the press is supposed to attend an event click picures and then leave, i didnt know they where supposed get drunk n then start fights !!! forget gettin drunk, r they even allowed to drink during work ???!!! instead of covering everything that happend they’re covering up that they initiated the fight !!!
So basically what you are saying is freedom should not be given and that the youth is not prepared to become an independent individual and take responsibility. Also, you are against the metropolitan cities and that attitude. Well, that according to me is a developed city. So are you against development? I think you need to broaden your thinking pattern and the typical mentality. Probably go take a vacation, travel around the world and find out how people really work and how backward you are. You can probably stop it today but, do you think this is never going to happen. And one last question, how come media, who were there to report, were drunk and getting involved with fights.
With all respect to your comment Raghav, why was the media drunk? How ethical is that. Till the fight they were partying, drinking, smoking etc etc. then they got into a fight, and you are saying its unethical on the organizers part. I think there were kind enough to let you guys into a party of this stature. And sir, don’t try to the deny the above mentioned facts because the public saw. Also, I thought media is for the people, not to get into a fight with them. My advise, think before you speak. Negatively publicizing is not going to help you guys. People are only laughing at you and your mentality and cursing you guys because the party had to be stopped thanks to drama they created.
Oh, so right. So, “let you guys into party of this stature” – I laughed aloud on that one, Sir. The party of stature where you forget that you come from a place of decency. Where you drink and get so high that you even can’t observe that you are hitting someone, locking someone. Wow, that was a good one. Secondly, you said “they were kind enough” – another laugh from my side (no pun intended!) – they wanted their event to be covered via media so they let everybody in.
Third, “Negetive publicity” – media needs no publicity. It publicizes common mass, not gets publicized. Fourth, I never commented on the party – parties are awesome, anywhere, anykind – until and unless you forget that you are human beings who have sense of what is right and wrong. It is not who you are that matters, its what you do.
And by the way, I think and then I speak – thanks for your advice, Sir. And for those who are cursing media – its ok, this is not the first time media is being cursed – its usual. But tommorow you will wake up with newspaper in hand, sit on internet with news all around to plan your day. So cheers to that.
And by the way – you seem to be referring all the facts to me then let me be clear. Am not from media, I have much easier job to do, and the job where I don’t get cursed behind my back. But that doesn’t mean you can’t distinguish between right and wrong.
Raghav, may i ask you a question? WHY DO YOU HATE the WHOLE CONCEPT…THE WHOLE IDEA… if youa re not from the media… what is the reason behind your bias… were you at the party? did you see something that you wanna share? Please do, but defaming a whole organization is not fair.
WOOOOHOOO! Nikhil arora, i second that! you are the MAN!!
the bias in this situation is more than just “IN THE OPEN”, accusing the organizers or the owners of the venue is not only base-less but PLAIN STUPID! if two parties were involved, both should be brought to light instead of one party being openly accused without proof.
What amazing party dudeee !!!!! neva thought a party of this standard will take place in udaipur, these guys hav definitely set a trend not jus in india but the whole of north india if u ask me !!! im from U.S n i dont get to go for for these kinda parties so often there !!!! this is definitely big, THANK YOU WDNE, KEEP ROCKIN, ALL THE HATERS CAN SUCK ON MY ****
Failure of parents and teachers. We’re raising kids that think of loud music, lights, dance floor, smoking and alcoholic dashing parties are a symbol of fun and entertainment and modernism. Damnit folks you don’t know you’ll yourself tag yourself as spoiled ones after a few decades when you mature up and look back.
You know what’s the difference between us Indians and the westerners? We had got our culture, our civilization has been 5000 years old… and of Europeans and Americans… they started getting civilized just around 1300 centuries… and still there are cannibals in Latin America and tribal culture all over American continents and even in Europe! You’re trying to copy their stuff and feel crazy? Look at things with your own eyes, don’t try to be someone or behave as someone! You’re the unfortunate ones that are at the verge of loosing stuff that your parents had! Trust me you’ll realize it a few decades down the line, not now., and then I assure you you’ll become too mature and understanding everything…. all this music, beats, fun, dance floors, parties, alcohol, all this is just fake gimmick. If the money in your pockets was your own earned one, you’d never waste it on such lowly stuff that you call fun.
Overall, time for everyone to behave maturely, or else we’ll be just another lot of spoiled folks in the city. Again I say, its the failure of parents and teachers.. for have been unable to induce the right wisdom in their kids. You know when the flame is small, it can be controlled…. when it becomes a huge fire, it gets out of control and burns not just a few homes, but huge forests and villages and cities altogether! Core mantra… never forget to learn a lesson! Thanks, hope it enlightens a few with positive mindset!
Its not about being conservative… our culture has never been conservative in all thousands of years… but its a matter of being sensible! Host parties of great quality… where even metroites get crazy to wanna attend… should be class… quality.. not fake alcoholic and all that cheap stuff!
A few of you wrote “interference in personal activities” … Folks, if you’re hundreds of you together, its no more personal!
you lost me on “We’re raising kids that think of loud music, lights, dance floor, smoking and alcoholic dashing parties are a symbol of fun and entertainment and modernism. ” music, and dancing has been a part of our “culture” from day 1… and when you said “We had got our culture, our civilization has been 5000 years old”… now that you have brought up the timeline and history… lets trace back to your “5000″ years old comment… and then later in your response you said ” our culture has never been conservative in all thousands of years… ” thats rather controversial, if not completely ironic.
Anyhow, lets get back to the topic…
Mr.Raghav, i want to request you to consider with an open mind.. What really happened here? Any fight needs to be provoked.. there has to be a reason behind it… so what caused this fight… without knowing that reason… no one.. and i mean NO ONE has the right to go about accusing ANYONE.
you and i are no one to mandate and decide who is at fault here…
Raghav, what you don’t get is that the crowd is the general public. It’s people having fun. I am sorry, if u drink juice and sip on a cup of tea in a party, then that’s a different deal all together. And I like how you have nothing to say about your media getting wasted. Now, that’s being really decent. And a little correction, an activity shared between the mass is a public activity. Something that is going in between two people and you looking into it, haha sneaky!, is interfering into someone’s personal space. And I am sure the organizers must have called the media for coverage, surely not to drink. Appears something else happened. People drinking, that’s in every party in the world. How do you propose we stop that? Instead of laughing, I suggest think again. And excuse me, your masala stories sell, you make money out of it, and this is how you promote yourselves. Find better news, which is actually NEWS that people should know. And stop arguing with me or taking it personal, I am the general public and this is my opinion. Take it if you can, or laugh at it like you do all the time. So, happy sipping on your tea, CHEERS to that bro!
Having attended the party myself , i can assure everyone who is so hell bent on making false accusations , that this party did not cross any boundaries/ limits that proves it to be ‘unethical’ or gives a leeway to all the hyper folks ( eg. SANJAY KAPOOR ) to get away with making such comments. They are rude , hurtful and judgemental. Moreover , if anyone looks deeper into the organization and its founders (whom i have interacted with ) , they will note that the company is all about breaking into the market with new concepts and trends which havent been introduced before. What will happen NOW is that the youth wont be motivated anymore to trying something new , something thats innovative , since they will take this as an example to prove that our people will stick to their pathetic mindset and no one can ever break the orthodox-ness of the system. Is that what we’re encouraging ? Having teens stick to a daily rut , not getting out of their mental block , not taking a step forward to trying something new ? And all those against alcohol , partying … if youre so worried about your children drinking / letting go , why dont you raise them with enough morals to encourage RESPONSIBLE drinking / partying ? WHY blame anyone else for your own lack in upbringing skills ?
In a party , no one can spoon feed and cater to everyones whims and fancies. Either you responsibly drink and have fun ( which the journalists definitly did not do : thereby getting beaten up ) or you stop attending parties.
and parents : stop pocket money maybe ?
i do agree with sanjana
what an amazing party …. don have ne idea wht exactly has happened…but organisers are not having nething by which they can express their views infront of da public…media is having tht … so all people will see wht media is showing them
…..nobody knos da reality
there might me some loopholes…but congs udaipur fr heading a step towards the changing world
and walk together with rest of the world….every body wants to enjoy nd dance in their own way…so live and let live
i would only suggest
A) stop these kind of parties
B) grow up and get accustomed with this kind of life style
both are difficult but one way it has to go
you need to pack up…and move to a rain forest or perhaps find yourself an underground cave… I would love to see you “grow up and get accustomed with this kind of life style
both are difficult but one way it has to go”.
U-townies
You should stop watching movies or songs at home with your family members including mother, sisters and brothers. Today songs and movies are completely vulgar but you still watch them. If you did’nt have the means to attend such parties, then shut your mouth. Its your jealousy speaking nothing else. The people who are creating all hypes about the party have their own selfish interest and making fool of the common public.
I only want to say one thing about the report, although Udaipur is going fast in the direction of Growth, Development and Industrialization, We must keep in mind one thing that Udaipur is Udaipur, dont try to make it Mumbai, Delhi or other big city…..
When Boozing is involved….people get carried away and such incidents are ought to occur…”Better Safe then Sorry” is the policy that applies.
Mohit (Editor in Chief @ http://www.thegeeksolutions.in)
what were reporters doing so late in the night at a party ? how much did the reporters drink ? were the reporters tested for alcohol at the time of lodging the complaint ? how much did they settle for in the end ? why should we trust everything written in the media ? if they do not play loud music and serve drinks at the parties will they play bhajans and serve holy-water ? what is the difference b/w satsangs and youth parties ? shame on the lumpen elements of our media for letting us down.
i pity the poor kids who organized such a fantastic party to put Udaipur on the world map were subjected to the extortion by lumpen elements of our society who act as moral guardians / vigilantes with a pen and a camera in hand without any sense of shame
what an amazing party …. don have ne idea wht exactly has happened…but organisers are not having nething by which they can express their views infront of da public…media is having tht … so all people will see wht media is showing them
…..nobody knos da reality
there might me some loopholes…but congs udaipur fr heading a step towards the changing world
and walk together with rest of the world….every body wants to enjoy nd dance in their own way…so live and let live
For all and as of the last comment. Am not completely blaming either the organizers nor the media. I said PARTIES ARE AWESOME – didn’t you read that one. I only said that we have all right to drink, smoke or whatever suits us, but at the end there is a line which no one should cross. If media crossed the line then also there were ways instead of scuffling with them, locking them – one could have asked them to leave the premises. For example, What if two boys who paid for the party get into a fight – would you beat them, No, you will ask them to leave. That is the way to tackle situation.
What happened there was not clear, but something did happen and it is now in all dailies and online media. Am not being judgmental, but now the names of organizers and youth enjoying there is now underlined everywhere – is that good?
One could have instructed media personals on the very first sight for not drinking or anything – if that offends you, we have right of that. I am just saying that things could’ve handled differently.
As they say – “Galti kisi ki bhi ho, naam to bigad gaya na”! I too want parties in Udaipur, but would suggest to lay some guidelines to tackle issues.
Sorry, if I offended anyone, but I never meant to take any side. What I always meant to say was – be in line!
Hi friends,
I was in the party on that night. First of all media should stop to misuse their penpower as Mr. Ram rattan and Mr.Pawan say.
I saw that One of the media person who wore blue shirt in the above picture had drunk. and he did argue with resort’s staff. He was passing comments to other foreigner guest.He tried to decimate to the resort.
Today I heard that all media persons are compromising with the resort.
Be careful all my friends to media.
Let me ask everyone a question … Did the media people get a VIP/VVIP pass as a curtsy by the Organizers? Did they drink and got drunk too? How can you clap with one hand? When the other party people misbehaved they got the heat too? So if media has power you abuse it Or use it? So if a group of can not handle a culture shock because of their bottle neck thinking; i presume they need to evolve more as a professional. Hats Off to the organizers but Hard Luck Guys your extended curtsy was taken for granted. Wish YOU GREAT LUCK FOR THE NEXT EVENT ……
One must understand that this party in the first place a cultural shock for a city like udaipur. And over that the udaipur media people are far backward (barring these new generation of internet news people). I personally know a lot of media persons and I can vouch for the face that many of these men are too narrow minded. They cant handle such parties happening in Udaipur and drinks being served this way!
Next, the organisers made a huge mistake by inviting media in such a party and over that allowed them to enter with cameras..pathetic..How can organisors allow camera in an aqua party? Where is the privacy of guests then??
So in a way this was a case badly handeled by both the sides. But now since media has pen power & with their high headedness, they will create such type of drama..
1) Your perception is probably skewed.
2) As it isn’t impossible for someone to have a opinion that such parties are no good, (s)he will certainly refrain from going there even when invited.
3) The case is not about some journalist not finding the party decent enough and being manhandled for that.
Your response does not answer my questions, does not make much sense and is biased.
A host will never attack a guest without extreme provocation as our culture clearly states in big bold letters ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’ (Guest is GOD). Also I have insider information so please put your mind to rest.
Dear friends
As a admirer & visitor to udaipur ..you have a great city!! picture perfect!
i was present at the get-together .i would like to add my views to the most unfortunate story!! which i can see is doing the rounds .
..the get together was mainly meant for the younger generation…. was very well conceived and organised .great job!!…
.with the onset of the indian – monsoons {which was delayed} an anticipation and celebration of a tradition with modern music..is done in all hotels in india ..mumbai/ delhi/ madras/ calcutta .!!!..any problem??
Monsoon mania –people drive to khandhala/lonavala/ to get the feel of the rain… waterparks –do this all the year around …so if udaipur does not have a water park ..and some body is trying to create/emulate one ..any problems??
well to get into any pool in any hotel/gymkhana/ city facilitiy..you are expected to wear a swiming trunk .{ a dress code}.any problem?? and also be a member. of the facility!!.!! this was a pool party all the kids where fashionable attired in bermudas /printed tops and a festive look was around …was there a problem ????
all cities crave to have fashion shows and as india is a country exporting all types of beautiful- garments -show-caseing fashion !! is their a problem ??
if i am not mistaken..all hollywood and bollywood shows come to udaipur !! is their a problem??
why does your television at home have so many music channels ???? why is tata-sky /airtel throwing in music ?? bollywood is dominating this country!! are they damaging our culture??any problems??
when you come to a party or get invited!! food /sweets /drinks -soft and hard are served! this is an accepted – tradition !! {gastronomy -world wide} ..any problems????
over indulging in the field of gastronomy …leads to many problems
some good /some bad /.. i have never seen an indian host telling his guest to stop indulging in the lovely food and fluids spread on the table!!.. not a problem???? could be some times!!
today the younger generation is confident that every body is a friend and will all be together to take the world forward….we as humans misplace that trust ..and hurt each other!! do we see a problem??
my flight out to mumbai from .udaipur!!
.even though i had a ticket ..my car was stopped checked!! first check ..printing my ticket {as i got my pnr on the mobile }2nd check!! getting in the beautiful airconditioned airport ..3rd check!! before getting on to the aircraft ..4th check with my personal goods going through a scanner!! does this send a message ..??
ha ha this is life …well when friends come home ..do they create a problem?? do we have a problem??
grow up dear udaipur press buddys…:P:)
Whoever is against such party and lauding biased press coverage, and all these political bahus, I request them to get rid of their TVs at home and stop going to movies because, today the scanty dresses, exposures and vulgar scenes are more open than ever before. I don”t understand how these people can watch TVs at home with the families.
It is common knowledge that Press is using Pen power, nothing else.
Our press is ‘Talibanizing’ of our society. Low paid employees of press who were graciously invited to the party free of cost upgraded themselves to the level whereby they consumed unlimited alcohol, started the fights b/w themselves, treated decent dancers as whores and created this mess to extort money from the organizers in the end. A sad day for all decent people of Udaipur. These lumpen elements of our society have shamed us miserably.
Yes you are 100% true. But what can you or me do in front of pen power, Press people just need news to earn their salary and when they find it, they go out of their limit to increase PR rating by creating hypes. I am really ashamed of such people, using pen power to meet their own selfish and press owners financial needs.
Not only you’re spewing personal attacks and forming conclusions that aren’t based on facts but speculations, you’re making derogatory remarks about the whole community.
1) The administration chose to act in this regard on their own accord. You think the so very influential Hotel Owners would not have pressed charges against the journalists? No news about them indicates they’ve probably been rejected by Police.
2) Physical Assault is a crime.
3) The case is between journalists of local media house and affluent Hotel Owners. You really think the case would have turned in favour of journalists because of ‘pen power’? That too in a country where the memories of cases like Jessica Lal Murder hasn’t still faded away.
Aqua 2.0 by WDNE should be held all over again in Udaipur, Jaipur, etc without
media / journalists and such irritants this time. The best wishes of all the youth in India are with the Periwals. These criminal ‘Talibans’ of our society acting as ‘Media’ should not be allowed to extort from anyone. Good should always be victorious over evil.