Arshid Ali Khan before the operation (Pic: YouTube)

A teenager who has been worshipped all of his life because of his tail has had his holy status removed after an operation.

Arshid Ali Khan, who became known as Balaji, was born in a village outside Chandigarh in northern India with the fleshy tail on his back.

As a result, he was thought to be a reincarnation of Hindu monkey god Hanuman.

Arshid after the operation (Pic: YouTube)

But he reportedly found it tiresome being treated as a god, and the surgery was carried out to help him walk.


Balaji’s grandfather, Iqbal Qureshi, 64, said: ‘We’re extremely happy and thankful to the doctors for operating on Balaji and help him get rid of the tail.

Arshid speaking about his experience (Pic: YouTube)

‘It was really unfortunate that he was born unusual but now he can go on an lead a normal life.’



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Arshid had to use a wheelchair and struggled to move freely.

Asked about the tail before the operation, he said: ‘This tail has been given to me by God. I am worshipped because I pray to god and the wishes of people come true.

‘I feel neither good nor bad about having a tail.’

Doctors at Fortis Hospital Mohali in Punjab carried out the procedure for free.

Watch Arshid talk about his tail: