MC Kode, the New Delhi-based rapper whose real name is Aditya Tiwari, has been missing since Wednesday following an uproar on social media over an old video that surfaced on Twitter in which he was seen using obscene language against Hindu religious texts.
While the rapper had issued an apology for the same, followers of his private account on Instagram said that he had posted a message on his social media page hinting at mental distress and has been missing since then.
In his Instagram story, Tiwari wrote “Currently standing at an isolated bridge overlooking the Yamuna river where I could see the waves answering my distress call while giving me much needed perspective.” He wrote that his “selfish actions” would cause grief but he wanted to be at “peace” and “safeguard” the people around him.
“I do not blame anyone for anything but myself. A relief from my own existence is gonna serve as a punishment that the entire country wanted,” he wrote.
After this post was uploaded, all his social channels have been inactive.
According to Rolling Stone India, his friends and members of the New Delhi hip-hop community, who have been looking for him along with the police, issued a statement saying, “He has been targeted by mobs and other angry individuals wanting to hunt him down and has had a bounty placed on him by extremist groups instead of following due legal process. Please do help find him using appropriate channels and mobilisation.”
The statement said Tiwari can be identified by his tattoo on his neck that reads ’51’ in bold font.
The controversy started last week after some Instagram handles shared a rap battle video from June 2016 in which Kode made some remarks about the Bhagavad Gita and Mahabharata. Following this, he received intense hate on social media with some users saying he should be put behind bars for his remarks.
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One Twitter user even put a “cash prize” reward to find and bring Tiwari to him.
Soon after, Tiwari posted an apology on his social media page. “I’ve angered a lot of people and that anger is understood and I deeply regret my actions…Currently all my details have been leaked including my address and there is a mass movement of people calling for a mob lynch of me and my family… Also local goons have placed a price on my head too. I am deeply sorry and I request you to please forgive me and spare me and the people associated to me their life,” he wrote.
He mentioned that he had no income left as three of his gigs were stalled and nine brands had cancelled their endorsements with him.
Tiwari’s followers and friends have been regularly sharing posts and updates regarding the search.
(This is a developing story)
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