Gaurav Taneja, a well-known Delhi-based vlogger and former pilot with over nine million followers on his YouTube channel ‘Flying Beast’, has recently been in the spotlight for controversial reasons. After facing rumors of divorce and allegations of infidelity involving his wife, Ritu Rathee, as well as his accusations against AirAsia for safety violations, Taneja is now under fire for launching fireworks near cows.
In a recent video titled “Something special @ Diwali,” Taneja, along with Rathee and their children, is seen preparing halwa for Diwali. The video, which features farmhands helping to stir semolina with ghee and garnish the dessert with dry fruits, initially comes across as a wholesome family celebration. However, things took a problematic turn when fireworks were introduced.
Over the past decade, fireworks have become a symbol of cultural pride, particularly amidst environmental campaigns led by celebrities advocating for animal welfare. Many public figures have urged people to consider the impact of firecrackers on animals, only to be met with backlash or calls for “boycotts.” Despite these appeals, the use of fireworks continues, often overshadowing the concerns of advocates.
Taneja’s decision to set off fireworks next to a barn-like structure where cows were kept sparked outrage online.
A six-second clip from the ‘Flying Beast’ vlog shows cattle, including bulls and cows, frantically trying to flee as one of the fireworks shoots into the sky. Social media users quickly came to the defense of the animals, with some pointing out the symbolic importance of cows in Hinduism.
“Just when I thought they [Gaurav Taneja and Ritu Rathee] couldn’t go any lower, they do this,” commented a Reddit user. Another person added, “I’m proud of myself for not watching even a single video of them but this time can we please just mass report them?”
The criticism didn’t stop there. Another commenter expressed frustration with the couple’s behavior, stating, “Both husband and wife have stooped so low. Do they even realise what are they doing? Using fireworks so close to animals. I hope people don’t buy whatever they are selling after seeing this.”