Varanasi Boat Beer Video Sparks Police Probe and Community Outrage
In Varanasi, a new viral video has emerged on social media, depicting the consumption of beer on a boat in the Ganga river, just weeks after a similar incident involving a biryani party on a boat gained widespread attention. The footage, which surfaced on Monday, has triggered a swift response from local authorities and community groups, highlighting ongoing concerns about antisocial activities along the sacred waterway.
Police Launch Investigation into Viral Footage
ACP (Dashshwamedh) Atul Anjan Tripathi confirmed that the police are actively investigating the matter. The exact origin and timing of the video remain unclear, but authorities are working to verify its authenticity and identify those involved. This probe follows a pattern of heightened vigilance after previous incidents that have stirred public and religious sentiments in the historic city.
Manjhi Samaj's Annual Traditions Contrast with Controversial Acts
Meanwhile, the Manjhi samaj, or boatmen community, in Varanasi continues its annual traditions, which stand in stark contrast to the viral videos. Every year, this community organizes a morning procession, typically departing by 5:30-6 PM on Sundays. Participants gather at the Chhoti Sheetala Mata temple at night, with people from nearby districts joining in. The procession then travels to the Badi Sheetala Mata mandir in Mirzapur, where puja is performed, and returns the next day after afternoon. These rituals underscore the community's deep cultural and religious ties to the Ganga, making the recent antisocial acts particularly jarring.
Community Demands Action Against Antisocial Elements
In response to the beer video, the Maa Ganga Nishadraj Seva Nyas submitted an application to ACP Dashashwamedh on Monday, calling for a fair investigation and stringent action against those responsible. The general secretary of the organization emphasized that the boatman community strongly condemns the incident, urging authorities to properly examine the viral video and impose punitive measures on the perpetrators. This demand reflects growing frustration over activities that disrespect the river and disrupt communal harmony.
Earlier Biryani Party Incident Sets Precedent for Legal Action
This is not the first such controversy in Varanasi. Earlier, during Ramadan, a video went viral showing an iftar party on a large boat, with allegations of biryani bones and waste being disposed of in the Ganga. In that case, police arrested 14 men under multiple legal provisions, including sections 298 (defiling a place of worship with the intent to insult a religion), 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 196(1)(b) (promoting enmity between different groups on the ground of religion), 270 (public nuisance), 223(b) (disobeying public servant's order) of the BNS, as well as the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974. This precedent underscores the serious legal consequences for such actions and sets a benchmark for the current investigation.
The repeated incidents have sparked debates about maintaining the sanctity of the Ganga while addressing antisocial behavior, with authorities and community leaders urging vigilance and cooperation to prevent future occurrences.
