Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez who is currently actively promoting her upcoming film, Race 3, sparked outrage when she shared a video of herself hugging an unwilling child on a TV show.
The actor was on dance reality show Dance Deewane with her Race 3 co-stars Salman Khan and Anil Kapoor to promote their film when she liked a young boy’s performance and expressed that she wanted to hug him.
However, the boy, clearly said that he did not want a hug from her because “he isn’t feeling like it.”
Salman then jokingly dragged Jacqueline to the stage, held onto the boy as she came close and gave him a hug. Salman asks him to hug her again but the boy simply bumps into Jacqueline who rubs his tummy.
To top that all, Jacqueline then shared the video to her Instagram account with the caption, “Kids usually love me, this boy was an exception.. at least I got my hug in the end.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjUoOc-nbRf/?taken-by=jacquelinef143
Fans are furious at her for not respecting the boy’s decision and hugging him anyway.
“All I can see is a visibly uncomfortable child. Jesus! The child clearly said no and you have the audacity to post this on Insta,” a comment read.
“Where is your respect for the child’s preference/choice. He did not want to touch/hug you and categorically stated that. But yet you and Salman showed no respect for that just because he is a child?” wrote another.
“What part of no you did not understand when the child says he doesn’t want to hug? He’s visibly uncomfortable when you touched him. Just because you’re an actor and think he’s cute, cannot force yourself on anybody. Ever heard about consent? Probably you go on lecturing about how important a consent is when it comes to women and kids, does that not apply to you as well? And rubbing his belly like he’s your pet? Seriously?,” read another.
Another wrote, “Does this mean I can hug M/s Fernandez without her consent with Mr S Khan’s assistance?”
However, there were a couple who rushed to the actor’s defense.
“He is gonna regret this when he grows up… so chill…normally girls do that when they find a kid cute…so don’t unnecessarily drag this,” one fan wrote.
Another fan commented, “Bunch of stupids who don’t say a word when a child is abused/molested but they are the first ones to react in situations like this where a celebrity is involved and Jacqueline did nothing wrong…so get a life.”
“Soooo sweet,” read a comment.
Jacqueline and Khan have made no comments on the matter.
