In a bizarre incident, an Indian man set himself on fire in front of at least 50 people after his wife refused to abide to his wish of not singing songs in public.
Shaikh Basheer, 40, from Ananthapur district in Andhra Pradesh in southern India had forbade his wife Sadika Sanjari, 35, from taking part in a function during the local New Year celebrations on Tuesday.
But Sanjari, who had been running the family by singing at small functions, defied her husband’s warnings and went on to sing Qawwali or devotional Sufi songs at the event.
However, just as the woman was about to sing, an angry Basheer turned up at the event and approached the stage with kerosene. Before anyone could realise his intentions, he poured the highly inflammable oil all over and set himself.
The unexpected turn of the event was captured on camera by panicked audience.
In the video, a guest is seen sitting on the stage when suddenly a man burning severely appears at the centre.
Some alert spectators then rush to his rescue and drag him down and douse the fire by covering him with carpets.
Basheer was rushed to a local hospital immediately but he sustained 70 per cent burns and is battling for his life.
A case of attempt to suicide was registered by police against the man.
Shaik Chand Basha, sub-inspector at Gooty police station said: “Basheer had said in his dying declaration (DD) to the local magistrate that he had attempted suicide to threaten his wife but did not intend to die.
The couple, who was married for 18 years and have three children – two daughters and a son, was going through marital tiff for some time.
A few years ago, Basheer had become addicted to drinking and his behaviour had turned violent towards his wife. He used to fight with her on regular basis and even gave up the petty work he used to do.
To look after her children and make ends meet, Sanjari had then started giving Qawwali performances at small functions but Basheer was not happy and even doubted Sanjari of having an affair with one of the group members that eventually led him to take the extreme step.
