Railway court’s unique punishment to Kiki challengers: ‘Clean the platform’

A railway court in Palghar district of Maharashtra has ordered three ‘artistic gentlemen’ to clean Vasai railway station for three days in a row. This unique type of punishment has been meted out to these ‘gentlemen’ for attempting the Kiki challenge on a moving train at the Vasai platform. The three accused Shyam Sharma (24), Dhruv (23) and Nishant (20) had tried to up the ante by taking the challenge one notch higher, using a moving train instead of a car. The video shot on Vasai platform had gone viral on social media more than a week ago. It has till date been viewed by more than 2 lakh people who might have attempted to try out the same stunts in a bid to gain recognition and praise from social media friends and followers. For the uninitiated it is important to know that the Kiki challenge was started by Canadian rap star Drake, the challenge involves jumping off a moving vehicle and dancing to his song In My Feelings.

The three ‘renowned’ dancers were arrested by the Railway Protection Force personnel on the 8^th of August and were subsequently produced in the Vasai railway court. Apart from cleaning the station for three days in a row the ‘artists’ will now also have educate other probable artists to desist from taking stunts like the Kiki challenge. These ‘artists’ by trying such stunts not only risk their own lives but also are a possible threat to the other commuters and their safety. According to a railway official, “The railway court ordered that the three men would clean all platforms of Vasai station from 11 AM to 2 PM and then, between 3 PM to 5 PM, will create awareness among commuters of the dangers of stunts like the Kiki challenge.” The three ‘artists’ were charged under sections 145 B (indecency or nuisance), 147 (entering railway premises or damaging property) 154 (endangering safety of passengers) and 156 (performing stunts) of the Indian Railway Act. Railway authorities and police from Maharashtra and other states had previously too warned people from attempting the Kiki challenge. Mumbai police’s tweet, ‘We love your safety and can’t leave it to be decided by Kiki!’ had been a humorous attempt to deliver a serious message.

While these three ‘artists’ have been caught by the authorities, the fever of challenges posted on social media has arrested millions since the period of internet boom. A couple months back it was the stupid Tide pod challenge which had led to thousands being poisoned and hospitalised. similarly, the Blue Whale challenge had led to many people committing suicide. The Kiki challenge is next in line where people especially youth are intentionally trying to take part in a life threatening challenge. Jumping off from moving vehicles in busy roads is a safety risk and nobody should take this risk just for a couple of minutes of internet fame. There is something seriously wrong with artists of our generation who urge young minds to try out hazardous tricks. The decision given by the Vasai court is apt considering a harsh punishment would have led to a public uproar, the three ‘artists’ will now clean the Vasai platform from 11 AM to 2 PM and from 3 PM to 5 PM, which will teach future artists not to mix art with risk to themselves and to others.