Renowned Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan recently found himself in the midst of a controversy. A video surfaced on social media on Saturday, January 27, showing Khan assaulting his disciple with a bottle. The video quickly went viral, leading to widespread shock and criticism.
In the video, Khan is seen taking disciplinary action against his student. The incident sparked a flurry of reactions from fans and critics alike. However, the singer was quick to respond to the controversy.
A Clarification Issued By Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
In a subsequent video, Khan issued a clarification about the incident. He revealed that a mistake made by his student had led to the disciplinary action. Khan acknowledged the error and emphasized that the measure was taken to uphold the standards of his teaching.
In another twist to the tale, the disciple in question came forward to defend his mentor. He stated that Khan had apologized to him later and that he held no complaints against him. “Ustad ji came and apologized to me. He is my father, murshid, guru and there is nothing wrong with a father punishing his son. Creating a controversy over this video is a way of blackmailing my ustad,” he said.
The disciple’s father, who was present during the incident, also supported Khan. He stated that he saw no wrong in a master punishing his disciple, further validating Khan’s actions.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan hails from a family steeped in the music industry. His uncle, the venerable Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, remains etched in history as an illustrious member of a renowned qawwali ensemble. Over the years, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has become the head of the qawwali gharana and leads a pack of singers.
This incident, while controversial, has shed light on the rigorous standards of Khan’s teaching and the deep respect his students hold for him. As the dust settles on this controversy, fans and critics alike will be watching to see how this impacts Khan’s storied career.
