Vadodara, Gujarat: A student at Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) has responded emotionally after a video of her dance performance at a campus cultural event went viral, triggering a political row and online backlash.

The controversy erupted after the student performed to the Bollywood song Dhak Dhak Karne Laga during the three-day ‘Sanskar Sangam’ event held at the university’s CC Mehta Auditorium.

The event, organised by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), drew criticism from rival student body National Students' Union of India (NSUI), which termed the performance “obscene” and demanded action.

Amid the escalating row and social media scrutiny, the student shared a video expressing her distress and clarifying her position.

“Hello, Jai Shri Ram. I am making this video because the dance I performed at the MSU Culture Fest went viral. Due to this, many people are saying that I have spread obscenity in the ‘Sanskari Nagari’ of Vadodara, even though I was wearing a simple, normal saree… Yes, my selection of the song may have been wrong, and I apologise to all of you for that. However, this is not such a massive issue that such an uproar should be created, as if I have committed treason.”

Distancing herself from student politics, she said she had no links with either group involved in the controversy.

“I didn't know that dancing to a Bollywood song at a cultural fest would cause such an uproar. If I had known, I wouldn't have done it at all."

She also accused members of NSUI of amplifying the issue without considering her well-being.

“And these NSUI people have spread this so much that they didn't think about my mental health at all. What I would go through... what would happen to me when I hear all this about myself. Is it the first time a girl has danced to a Bollywood song? No, right? Only I know what I’m going through right now,” she continued.

“Only I know what I am going through right now. I just want to say that if you post a video, please think about the girl first. I was not wearing obscene clothes; I was wearing a simple saree and presenting my art on stage. I am a normal student and have danced before; I didn’t think dancing to a Bollywood song would lead to claims that I have ‘violated traditions’. If you are all so cultured, then you should stop listening to Bollywood songs as well,” she said.

Highlighting the larger issue, she added, “It seems that instead of focusing on many other issues in the country or in Vadodara, people just want ‘mirch masala’ (sensationalism), which is why they targeted a girl… They put logos on the video saying ‘obscenity is being spread’ without thinking about me or asking for permission to post my personal video. You have simply used a girl as a tool to target the opposing political party. Again, I am really sorry that my song selection was wrong, but I did not do anything so serious that I deserve such severe criticism at such a large scale. Thank you.”

Meanwhile, ABVP has distanced itself from the performance, stating that around 140 students had officially registered for the event, which featured traditional dance, drama and cultural activities. NSUI, on the other hand, has demanded strict action and warned of protests if no steps are taken.