A recent viral video from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has reignited the long-standing debate about public hygiene and civic responsibility in India. The footage, which has sparked significant online criticism, shows a brand-new dustbin, intended for sale, already defaced with unsightly red paan stains inside.
The Viral Clip That Exposed the Issue
The video was shared on Instagram by a user with the handle @devotedindian on December 29, 2025. In the clip, a man approaches a dustbin kept on display at a store. He lifts the lid and zooms the camera in to reveal clear, red paan stains marring the interior of the unused bin. The man can be heard expressing his dismay in Hindi, saying, "Ab batao kya hoga Kanpur ka bhai (Now tell me, what will happen to Kanpur?)". The post's caption echoed a sentiment of frustration, stating, "Bolo juban kesri. Kanpur will never change."
Public Backlash and Social Media Reaction
The video quickly gained traction online, amassing over 4 lakh views and triggering a wave of angry and disappointed comments from netizens. Many users called out the lack of civic sense displayed in the act.
One user connected the incident to broader perceptions, writing, "And that’s why I never understood the videos claiming kanpuriyas are awesome and all. These people have confused confidence with overconfidence." Another comment reflected a sense of shame, with a user identifying as a Kanpur native stating, "As a kanpuriya we should be ashamed, nothing funny in this video. Only thing it tells the rest of country that how uncivilized we are."
Some suggested concrete action. A third user advised, "Diy plz Take a look into cctv recording, spot the culprits, take a printout and file a complaint against him, also paste his photo on DIY entrance with a remark ENTRY BAN FOR THIS MAN."
A Persistent National Problem
This incident is not isolated. Paan and tobacco spitting in public spaces remains a persistent civic issue across India, often highlighting a disregard for shared cleanliness. The problem has even gained international attention, with cities like London imposing hefty fines on individuals caught spitting paan on streets.
The Kanpur dustbin video follows other similar episodes that have caused public outrage. In December 2025, a giant billboard featuring a woman was seen covered in paan stains. Earlier, in January 2025, Mumbai's newly inaugurated Trans Harbour Link was found stained with red paan splotches merely a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the bridge.
These repeated incidents underscore a deep-rooted challenge that goes beyond individual cities, pointing to a nationwide struggle with enforcing public decorum and hygiene norms.
