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Swarajya Staff
Feb 23, 2021, 12:30 PM | Updated 12:30 PM IST
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A video went viral on social media yesterday (22 February) of a brawl which broke out between Chaat Sellers in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat.
Shopkeepers in UP's Baghpat engage in hand-to-hand combat using lathis, pipes, etc. A dozen injured in the violence @Uppolice pic.twitter.com/0S9irgil1Z
— Sandeep Rai (@RaiSandeepTOI) February 22, 2021
In the viral video, at least 8 to 10 shopkeepers could be seen attacking each other using sticks and their bare hands.
One of the highlights of the brawl was the blue kurta clad seller with flowing mehndi hair who could be seen successfully pinning down his enemy shopkeepers during the fight.
He later could be seen attacking other shopkeepers using a stick which he wrestled away from one of his opponents.
Now identified as Harinder, the chaat seller became a social media sensation after he appeared to be winking in a photo clicked by the cops, post their detention. This though could also have been a result of an injury he suffered during the fight or a disability.
Now Harinder while speaking to ANI has revealed the details of why the brawl broke out.
#WATCH | The man seen in the viral Baghpat brawl clip explains reason for the fight. The man is now in jail, this interview is from last night pic.twitter.com/PII1Rb5OvX
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 23, 2021
Harinder said that he has been selling chaat in that Baghpat market for the past 40-50 years. Around 1-2 months back other sellers arrived in market and set up their own Chaat stalls.
Harinder claims that these new sellers began spreading false rumours that he (Harinder) sells stale chaat in a bid to snatch away his customers. This badmouthing against his Chaat shop happened on at least four to five occasion.
As per local reports, the fight started on Monday afternoon (22 February) when a customer arrived in the market to eat chaat. Each seller then tried to bring him to their shop which displeased other parties and the fight broke out.
Harinder and seven others involved in the fight are currently said to be in jail.