A street artist in Lahore, who paints himself gold and stands motionless like a statue, has been arrested on charges of begging. However, he denies the allegations, saying he never asks for money—people give it to him voluntarily.
The artist, identified as Muhammad, is a 30-year-old father of two and a resident of Band Road. He regularly performed in the Gulberg area, where he entertained passersby by standing still like a golden statue.
“I am not a beggar. I perform as a living statue, which is an art form recognized worldwide. People appreciate my work and give money willingly, but I never ask for it,” Muhammad explained.
Despite his claims, traffic police detained him, arguing that he was obstructing the flow of vehicles. A traffic warden stated that senior officials had ordered the arrest due to concerns about public disturbance.
Muhammad expressed disappointment, saying authorities failed to recognize his work as a legitimate street performance. “In many countries, street artists are respected for their talent. But here, I am being treated like a beggar,” he lamented.
His arrest has sparked debate about the recognition of street performers in Pakistan. Many believe that instead of penalizing such artists, authorities should create spaces where they can legally perform without interference.
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