Rawalpindi’s ‘golden man’ who was ‘beaten’ by Cantt employees allotted space

Imran Hanif, who is more popularly known as the golden man, has been given space by Rawalpindi Cantonment Board to display his art a day after he was allegedly beaten by Cantt employees.

Imran, who hails from Sialkot, has also forgiven the employees who had tortured him on Thursday evening. He is the sole breadwinner for his family which included his mother, wife, two minor siblings and four children.

He earns his living by performing on the streets of Rawalpindi and moved to the garrison city after going through financial difficulties in his hometown.

The street artist covers himself in metallic gold paint resembling a golden statue. Living statues are a common sight in many European cities but it is rare in Asia.

Imran usually moves around Ghariyal Chowk where he entertains the street dwellers who give money out of goodwill.

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Talking to The Express Tribune, the street artist said that some employees of the Cantt Board's administration had ordered him to go away from Ghariyal Chowk yesterday and later allegedly attacked him with clubs.

He said that he took refuge at the Cantt police station where he also lodged his complaint against the attackers. Police called the employees and the matter was investigated.

The employees in their defence said that the golden man causes traffic gridlocks therefore they had asked him to vacate the place. Cantt Board officials said that they had only asked Imran to stand somewhere else but he refused and got into an argument with them.

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They said that they never resorted to torture, adding that the street artist became ‘emotional’ when he was asked to vacate the place.

The officials said that the golden man has been officially given permission to perform his art on the food street and the Cantt employees would fully cooperate with him in this regard.

SP Pothohar Rana Abdul Wahab, while talking to The Express Tribune, said that immediate action was taken after the incident was reported, adding that investigation was conducted on the complaint of the street artist.

He said that during the investigation, the torture on the golden man was not proved and he had also forgiven the employees. He further said that the police would ensure the artist's security in future.