A case has been registered against fourteen Muslim men in Varanasi after they were seen holding an iftar gathering on the river, eating non-veg, and dumping it in the river. The video of the gathering went viral on the social media platform, triggering controversy.
The video demonstrates a group of Muslim men seated on a moving boat in the river, breaking their fast with chicken biryani being served on the plates. A complaint has been filed by Rajat Jaiswal, city president of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.
Based on a complaint filed by Rajat Jaiswal, city president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, a case has been registered against the youths.
“The Ganga is a central symbol of faith in Sanatan Dharma, and lakhs of devotees visit it daily. Consuming chicken biryani on a boat in the sacred waters during iftar and allegedly throwing leftovers into the river is highly unfortunate and condemnable. It has deeply hurt the sentiments of followers of Sanatan Dharma. Such actions by these youths appear to deliberately promote a jihadi mindset,” Jaiswal said in his complaint.
He further alleged that this was done “intentionally hurting Hindu sentiments,” and actions should be taken against the men.
“Yesterday, the police received information that a video was circulating on social media, including Instagram, showing some people having an Iftar party on the Ganga. In the video, a container with chicken biryani was being used, and leftovers were allegedly thrown into the river. Arrests have been made in connection with the incident, and further action is being taken,” ACP Vijay Pratap Singh said.
The gathering was organized by local residents of Varanasi, and a pre-booked boat was arranged. The group reportedly broke the fast and offered namaz on the boat and later ate chicken briyani. Online views split sharply; some defend protecting ‘Mother Ganga’ from pollution, while others call out inconsistent enforcement amid sewage, idol immersions, and other river contaminants.
“Eating non-vegetarian food in the Ganga is like eating pork in a mosque,” a user posted on X.
“Soon they will start taking legal action against Muslims for inhaling too much oxygen,” another user said.
“When Muslims were worshiping their Allah, they were being beaten; now even eating food lands them in jail. From what to what have they turned my dear Hindustan in the eyes of the whole world?” a comment on X reads.
“They are snatching away everyone’s freedom by making religion the basis—RSS, BJP, the Brahmin religion folks. Just a few days ago, when a sadhu died, they took the body on a boat and threw it in with the body itself. “Human bones can dissolve in it,” another commented.
“Let’s just eat at home and then go for a stroll. These people just look for excuses to act like thugs in the name of Ramadan and fasting. They can’t come and impose their religion on something that Hindus hold sacred,” a user reacted.
